Attachments
Reporting Period 1 October to 31 October 2024
HIGHLIGHTS
- As of October 31, 2024, the epidemic spread from 38 to 43 out of 49 health districts. Among these, 33 are currently active, having reported at least one confirmed case in the last 21 days.
- A total of 963 cases out of 1,607 reported confirmed cases were recorded in three health districts of Bujumbura (Bujumbura North, Centre and South). Bujumbura North continues to be the most affected district with 599 cases (37%).
- Children 15 years old and younger are the most affected group (47%) with children under 5 accounting for 25 per cent of the total confirmed cases. Youth between 20 and 30 years represent 25 per cent of cases.
- UNICEF established three isolation centers in Bujumbura, Gitega and Kayanza to ensure safe and hygienic care for affected individuals, where 937 people have been accommodated since September 2024. This initiative reflects UNICEF’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities through coordinated health and sanitation measures.
- A safety and accessibility audit of the Clinique Prince Louis Rwagasore treatment center identified gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) risks and recommended mitigation measures. Actions will be implemented to improve safety for women and girls and accessibility for people with disabilities.
- 8,904 soap bars were distributed to 99 schools in two Bujumbura health districts (Muha and Ntahangwa) to improve hygiene conditions for 177,516 children among them 112,632 girls.
- UNICEF deployed a monitoring tool via Kobocollect for Mpox management in Bujumbura schools. This tool has enabled UNICEF and partners to collect data on the handling of suspected cases by school directors and the impact on students, allowing for rapid adjustment of interventions.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
3,452
Total suspected cases
1,607
Confirmed cases
758
Children under 15 among confirmed cases
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF MPOX IN BURUNDI
The Government of Burundi declared an Mpox outbreak on July 25, 2024, following confirmation of three cases by the National Reference Laboratory. On August 21, 2024, UNICEF activated a Level 3 Corporate Emergency scale-up in countries affected by Mpox outbreaks caused by the virus.
From July 22 to October 31, 2024, there have been 1,607 confirmed cases of Mpox (48% women and girls), with zero deaths reported and over 3,452 suspected cases across 43 out of 49 districts. In the last 21 days, 33 health districts reported cases. Approximately 55 per cent (879) of the confirmed cases are children and youth under 20 years old, with children under 5 accounting for 25 per cent of the cases (396). The most affected districts are Bujumbura Nord (37%), Bujumbura Center (14%), Gitega (9%), Bujumbura South (8%), Isare (6%), and Kayanza (3%). A total of 4,042 alerts have been reported since the start of the epidemic. Of these, 3,477 (86%) have been investigated, 141 are pending further investigation, 180 have been dropped from follow-up, and 199 have not been validated.
The Mpox outbreak is putting additional pressure on the already strained health system and social services. In addition to the Mpox outbreak, the country is grappling with other disease outbreaks, such as cholera (2,189 cholera cases reported with 12 deaths as of October 31, 2024) and measles (14,884 suspected measles cases and 149 deaths reported across 44 out of 49 health districts as of October 31, 2024).