Guinea-Bissau faces first mpox outbreak with high child vulnerability

Guinea-Bissau is experiencing its first mpox outbreak, with UNICEF reporting that children account for half of the 46 suspected cases. Of these suspected cases, 23 involve individuals under the age of 15, including 16 children aged between zero and four years, a group considered highly vulnerable to severe complications.

As of August 17, authorities had confirmed seven cases, all of which were among adults. Six of these confirmed cases were located in the Autonomous Sector of Bissau and one in the Biombo Region. No deaths have been recorded to date. However, health officials are concerned that the lack of epidemiological links between confirmed cases suggests undetected chains of transmission.

UNICEF Deputy Representative Sandra Martins described the situation as a major public health event, noting that the country’s health surveillance system is ‘extremely fragile.’ There are additional concerns that the reopening of schools in September could facilitate further transmission among children. UNICEF has stated it requires more than $150,000 in emergency funding to support essential intervention pillars and protect vulnerable populations.