The UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, issued an urgent appeal on Friday for nearly $59 million to support efforts to halt the rapid spread of mpox in six African countries including Burundi, where youngsters have been impacted the most. "Children in Burundi are bearing the brunt of the mpox outbreak with alarming rates of infection and health impacts," said Dr Paul Ngwakum, UNICEF Regional Health Advisor for Eastern and Southern Africa. "Of the nearly 600 reported cases, two-thirds are children under 19 years old and the situation is escalating really rapidly with more than [a] 40 per cent increase in cases over the last three weeks .
" To date in Burundi there have been more than 14,000 suspected cases but no reported deaths from mpox. Neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, however, has seen nearly 21,900 suspected cases and 717 deaths. The UNICEF official insisted that with funding and prompt action in Burundi, " we have an opportunity to end this outbreak in a very short time period because the geographical area is kind of limited and with concerted effort from all partners, I think, we can limit the spread; we can contain the virus so we can stop the outbreak without any loss of life".
Making classrooms safe Following the start of the school year earlier this week in Burundi, the UN agency remains concerned about the rise of mpox among children under five years of age, who represent 30 per cent of reported cases - as in DRC. To help teachers and parents understand the ri.
