Egide Irambona, 40, is enduring severe pain from mpox in a Bujumbura hospital, where he shares a treatment room with two other men. The blisters covering his face, chest, and arms reflect the severity of his condition. “I had swollen lymph nodes in my throat that made it so painful I couldn’t sleep,” Irambona tells the media. The pain eventually spread to his legs.
Irambona, who believes he contracted the virus from a friend, may have passed it to his wife, who is also receiving treatment at the same facility. This outbreak, attributed to a new strain known as Clade 1b, has affected over 170 people in Burundi since last month.
While the current outbreak has not yet resulted in any deaths in Burundi, the country, bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo—the epicenter of recent outbreaks—faces a significant health crisis. The situation is exacerbated by limited testing capacity and resources.
King Khaled University Hospital in Bujumbura, one of three mpox treatment centers in the city, is overwhelmed. Of its 61 beds, 59 are occupied, with children being particularly affected. Dr. Odette Nsavyimana, the hospital’s chief doctor, reports a rising patient count and has had to set up additional tents for triage and treatment.
With only one laboratory in the country equipped to test for mpox, and no vaccines available, health officials are struggling to manage the outbreak. Dr. Liliane Nkengurutse, national director for the Centre for Public Health Emergency Operations, highlights the urgent need for $14 million to enhance the response.
Public awareness in Bujumbura is limited. Despite the proximity to the DR Congo border and high cross-border activity, many residents remain unaware of mpox or its risks. “Many people do not understand the gravity of this issue,” Dr. Nkengurutse notes.
As health workers continue to treat patients and trace contacts, they face the dual challenge of a skeptical population and severe resource constraints. The situation remains dire, with efforts ongoing to control the spread and manage the outbreak effectively.
