The spread of a new, aggressive strain of the mpox virus has rapidly increased among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi, with cases more than doubling since the declaration of a public health emergency in mid-August, according to Save the Children.
The fast-moving clade 1b strain is disproportionately affecting children in both countries, which together account for 92% of all mpox cases in Africa this year. The DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak, and Burundi are seeing a sharp rise in cases amid challenges such as hunger, displacement, and limited access to healthcare.
As of Nov. 3, cases among children in the DRC had surged by over 130%, from about 11,300 suspected cases to 25,600. In Burundi, confirmed child cases increased from 89 to around 1,100 since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14.
The overall risk to the population remains critically high in both countries, with children facing particular vulnerability. Children are nearly four times more likely to die from the new strain of mpox compared to adults. Malnourished children, those living in areas with poor sanitation, and those lacking access to testing and vaccines are at even greater risk of contracting and succumbing to the virus.
Mpox, which causes fever, rash, and lesions on the body, as well as severe headaches and fatigue, can lead to respiratory problems in some children. In severe cases, it can result in sepsis, a life-threatening complication of infection.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suspected and confirmed mpox cases across Africa had surpassed 46,000 this year, with over 1,000 fatalities.
“Children are especially vulnerable to mpox—they explore by touch and taste, don’t always understand health guidance, and have weaker immune systems than adults,” said Save the Children’s regional health advisor. “They need timely information to protect themselves, and parents need support to ensure they get immediate care if they fall ill.”
While the global mpox epidemic in 2022 was mitigated through targeted vaccinations for vulnerable populations, similar efforts are urgently needed to curb the current outbreak in the DRC and Burundi. This includes expanding testing, raising awareness about mpox, and ensuring access to vaccines in high-risk communities.
Save the Children is actively working in both countries to disseminate accurate information and combat misinformation. In eastern DRC, the organization is providing essential supplies, including medication, isolation tents, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers. The group is also training local leaders in engagement, communication, and community alert systems to better identify and report suspected cases.
In Burundi, Save the Children is partnering with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Emergency Response (COUSP) to bolster the country’s health system and control the outbreak. Efforts are focused on reducing the virus’s spread, particularly among vulnerable refugee populations, and strengthening local healthcare capacity to manage the crisis effectively.
Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit has deployed additional specialists to support the response in Burundi, ensuring that both resources and expertise are in place to protect communities and contain the outbreak.
