Guinea-Bissau Flags 23 Child Mpox Suspects in First Outbreak as UNICEF Seeks $150,000
Updated
Updated · Devdiscourse · Aug 21
Guinea-Bissau Flags 23 Child Mpox Suspects in First Outbreak as UNICEF Seeks $150,000
3 articles · Updated · Devdiscourse · Aug 21
Summary
23 of Guinea-Bissau’s 46 suspected mpox cases are children under 15, including 16 aged 0 to 4, sharpening concern in the country’s first recorded outbreak.
Seven cases had been confirmed by Aug. 17—all in adults, with six in Bissau and one in Biombo—but officials found no apparent links between them, suggesting hidden transmission chains.
September school reopening could widen spread if infections are missed, especially as the country’s surveillance system has gaps in community detection, contact tracing and sample testing.
UNICEF is expanding support with the health ministry and WHO on surveillance, infection control, WASH measures and public information, while saying more than $150,000 is needed for the response.