Uganda, Rwanda put on high alert over Mpox outbreak in DRC, Burundi 

The East African Community (EAC) secretariat has issued a notice to Uganda and other countries neighbouring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the outbreak of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox.

This alert follows reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating that both Burundi and DRC are currently experiencing outbreaks of this viral disease. Burundi has confirmed three cases of Mpox in Bujumbura and Isare, verified by national laboratories and the WHO. Since 2022, DRC has reported over 21,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths according to WHO. 

In 2023, there were 14,626 cases and 654 deaths. By the end of May 2024, 7,851 cases and 384 deaths had been reported. Children under five are most at risk, with 39 per cent of the cases in DRC being in this bracket while they also account for nearly two-thirds of the deaths. The country is also battling a new strain of the virus that has been identified in one part of the country.

Burundi borders DRC, Rwanda, and Tanzania while the DRC borders five EAC partner states: Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan. EAC deputy secretary general in charge of infrastructure, productive, social and political sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, emphasised the importance of taking preventive measures to minimise the spread of Mpox.

“The EAC partner states must provide necessary information about the disease and take preventive measures,” said Malueth, adding that factual risk communication, community engagement, and enhanced surveillance were crucial steps to managing the disease. Mpox, first discovered in monkeys in 1958, and a humans in 1970, spreads from animals to humans and between people through close contact, contaminated objects, and respiratory droplets.

Symptoms include a skin rash or lesions, fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, general body weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, typically lasting two to four weeks. While most cases are moderate, severe cases and deaths can occur. Some measures to avoid contracting it include avoiding contact with infected individuals diagnosed, wearing a face mask when in close contact with symptomatic individuals, and using personal protective equipment when caring for confirmed or suspected cases.

The public is also advised to ensure personal hygiene, especially constantly washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitisers after contact with infected persons or animals.

Also encouraged is regular washing of clothing and bedding at high temperatures, thoroughly cooking meat before its consumption as well as avoiding contact with sick animals, particularly rodents and non-human primates, and refraining from handling bush meat.

Individuals suspecting that they may have contracted Mpox should self-isolate and seek medical advice immediately. While a vaccine against Mpox is available, WHO recommends vaccination primarily for those at high risk of exposure. Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms, such as pain management, according to WHO.

The EAC secretariat says it will convene a meeting of health experts to deliberate on the situation. The community has also in place a partnership with the German Government through its development agency, GIZ, and the Africa Centers for Disease Control, which has established a pool of rapidly deployable experts ready to be deployed in areas of disease outbreaks in the EAC.

GIZ has also supported the EAC in strengthening 10 border areas with the DRC and other EAC partner states by providing handwashing facilities and health promotion activities to encourage protective health and hygiene (WASH) behaviours, aiming to prevent the spread of zoonotic and water-borne infectious diseases.