Cases of smallpox have been recorded in the country’s various health facilities. Liduine Baradahana, Minister responsible for health, called on the Burundian population to protect themselves against this contagious disease by applying hygiene measures and avoiding any form of bodily contact with an infected person or animal.
Monkeypox cases have been recorded in various health facilities across the country
The Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS recommends that the Burundian population observe preventive measures to protect themselves against monkeypox. Liduine Baradahana, Minister in charge of health, gave this alert message after the analysis results of the National Reference Laboratory of the INSP revealed that there were 3 cases of people infected with this virus.
These 3 cases of monkeypox were suspected and reported by the Kamenge University Hospital Center (CHUK), the Kamenge Military Hospital (HMK) and the ISARE Health District because the patients had fever, joint pain and a generalized skin rash.
Following this revelation, other cases of monkeypox were recorded in other health structures, notably Kayanza and very recently in Rumonge province.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
Minister Baradahana said in a press release that monkeypox is characterized by fever, headaches, fatigue. The infected person also experiences an increase in the volume of the lymph nodes, muscle pain or a generalized skin rash. Pulmonary, ocular, digestive and cerebral complications can occur.
She is sounding the alarm that this disease is highly contagious and can lead to death if treatment is started late.
The main modes of transmission
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is transmitted either through direct contact with infected animals, through contact with skin lesions or body fluids, or indirectly through contaminated materials.
This disease can also be spread by touching contaminated objects such as bedding, clothing and towels.
Prevention of this disease consists of washing hands regularly and properly with clean water and soap or using a hydroalcoholic solution and avoiding contact with anyone showing signs of this disease. Health personnel indicate that people can protect themselves by leaving space between them when communicating but also by avoiding any form of body contact even when greeting.
Minister Baradahana urged the Burundian population to seek medical attention from the nearest health services in the event of any suspected case.
Burundi is not the only country in the East African community affected by monkeypox. Moreover, before spreading to Burundi, this disease is believed to have come from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as cases of the disease have been observed there recently. Indeed, on June 28, 2024, the BBC English Radio published in his article: “A new strain of the smallpox virus is spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and experts say it is the most dangerous variant they have ever observed.” Rwandan media also claims the presence of this disease in this country.
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