Children Make Up Half of Suspected Mpox Cases in Guinea-Bissau

The seemingly minor outbreak represents a “major public health event” according to UN Children’s Fund UNICEF , as this is the first time mpox cases have been reported in the West African country.

Mpox is an infectious disease belonging to the same virus family as smallpox. Symptoms typically include a distinct rash, alongside fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and fatigue.

Find more on mpox here , from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The outbreak was declared on 4 July. Seven adult cases have been confirmed so far, according to the Government, as of Tuesday, with no fatalities reported.

Back to school

Symptoms of mpox tend to go away on their own and rarely lead to death, but newborns and children are more at risk of developing severe cases of the disease.

In the last major international outbreak of mpox in 2022 , many of the fatal cases were of children or people with underlying health conditions.

The upcoming reopening of schools in September heightens concerns, as it is expected to increase opportunities for transmission among this vulnerable group.