As of August 1, 2024, at least 26 cases of monkeypox had already been detected in the small East African nation. According to a report from the Ministry of Health seen by SOS Médias Burundi, no deaths have been reported so far. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Provinces where cases have been recorded include Muramvya (center), Karusi (center-east), Ruyigi (east), Bururi (south) Kayanza (north), Bubanza (west), Bujumbura (west) Makamba (south), Gitega (center) and the commercial city Bujumbura. The capital Bujumbura and Bujumbura province alone are overflowing with 14 patients.

Health and administration authorities have taken several measures to protect themselves against the disease. But the shortage of drinking water that is evident in several regions of Burundi remains the major challenge.

Burundi faces many threats from diseases with epidemic potential, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The small East African nation’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo is an epidemic zone for monkeypox.

The overall secondary attack rate after contact with a known human source is 3% (study conducted in South Africa in 2023), and attack rates of up to 50% have been reported in people living with someone infected with the disease, WHO says.

So far, no deaths related to the infection have been reported.