Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Translation Google
Press release
Health
Guinea-Bissau: Children particularly affected by Mpox
Posted on August 20, 2026
UNICEF is strengthening surveillance, prevention and community awareness as the country faces its first Mpox outbreak .
Bissau/Dakar, August 20, 2026 – Children under 15 years of age account for half of the 46 suspected cases of Mpox in Guinea-Bissau. UNICEF is strengthening its support to the Ministry of Public Health in direct response to the country's first-ever Mpox outbreak.
“ This is the first time cases of Mpox have been reported in Guinea-Bissau, turning a small outbreak into a major public health event ,” said Sandra Martins, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Guinea-Bissau. “ Although the country’s surveillance system remains extremely fragile, we face the risk that cases may go undetected, particularly among children who are most vulnerable to serious complications. ”
Since the outbreak was declared on July 4, 2026, Guinea-Bissau has reported seven confirmed cases of Mpox, all in adults, as of August 17. Six of the confirmed cases are in the Bissau Autonomous Sector and one in the Biombo Region. No deaths have been reported to date.
However, of the 46 suspected cases, 23 involve children under 15. Sixteen of these children are between 0 and 4 years old, raising concerns about their health given the increased risk of complications from the virus in young children. The reopening of schools in September further amplifies these concerns , given the potential for increased transmission among children.
The confirmed cases do not appear to be linked to each other, suggesting undetected chains of transmission , and the possibility that other patients remain unidentified.
Critical gaps remain in community surveillance , particularly in identifying contacts, testing samples and systematically tracing the spread of the virus.
...
https://www.unicef.fr/article/guinee-bissau-les-enfants-particulierement-touches-par-le-mpox/
Press release
Health
Guinea-Bissau: Children particularly affected by Mpox
Posted on August 20, 2026
UNICEF is strengthening surveillance, prevention and community awareness as the country faces its first Mpox outbreak .
Bissau/Dakar, August 20, 2026 – Children under 15 years of age account for half of the 46 suspected cases of Mpox in Guinea-Bissau. UNICEF is strengthening its support to the Ministry of Public Health in direct response to the country's first-ever Mpox outbreak.
“ This is the first time cases of Mpox have been reported in Guinea-Bissau, turning a small outbreak into a major public health event ,” said Sandra Martins, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Guinea-Bissau. “ Although the country’s surveillance system remains extremely fragile, we face the risk that cases may go undetected, particularly among children who are most vulnerable to serious complications. ”
Since the outbreak was declared on July 4, 2026, Guinea-Bissau has reported seven confirmed cases of Mpox, all in adults, as of August 17. Six of the confirmed cases are in the Bissau Autonomous Sector and one in the Biombo Region. No deaths have been reported to date.
However, of the 46 suspected cases, 23 involve children under 15. Sixteen of these children are between 0 and 4 years old, raising concerns about their health given the increased risk of complications from the virus in young children. The reopening of schools in September further amplifies these concerns , given the potential for increased transmission among children.
The confirmed cases do not appear to be linked to each other, suggesting undetected chains of transmission , and the possibility that other patients remain unidentified.
Critical gaps remain in community surveillance , particularly in identifying contacts, testing samples and systematically tracing the spread of the virus.
...
https://www.unicef.fr/article/guinee-bissau-les-enfants-particulierement-touches-par-le-mpox/