Guinea-Bissau is facing its first reported mpox outbreak, with UNICEF warning that children account for half of the suspected cases and that the West African country’s fragile health surveillance system may struggle to detect further infections.
UNICEF said Thursday that the country had reported seven confirmed mpox cases as of August 17, all involving adults. However, 46 suspected cases were under investigation, including 23 children below the age of 15.
UNICEF Raises Concern Over Children
“This is the first time mpox cases have been reported in Guinea-Bissau, making even a small outbreak a major public health event,” said Sandra Martins, UNICEF’s deputy representative in the country.
She warned that Guinea-Bissau’s disease surveillance system remains “extremely fragile”, raising concerns that infections could go undetected.
“Cases may be going undetected, particularly among children who are the most vulnerable to severe complications,” Martins said.
UNICEF also cautioned that the reopening of schools next month could increase opportunities for transmission among children.
What Is Mpox?
Mpox is caused by a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox. It can spread from animals to humans and can also be transmitted between people through close physical contact.
The disease was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Common symptoms can include fever, muscle aches and characteristic skin lesions. In some cases, the infection can become severe or fatal.
Guinea-Bissau Faces Preparedness Challenges
The emergence of mpox in Guinea-Bissau is particularly concerning because of the country’s limited capacity to monitor and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
UNICEF said the country needs stronger surveillance and greater preparedness to identify cases quickly, particularly among vulnerable children.
No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak so far.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in January that Africa was no longer under a continent-wide public health emergency over mpox, although the virus remains endemic in several settings.
The situation in Guinea-Bissau is now being closely monitored as authorities assess suspected cases and prepare for the potential spread of the disease.