has highlighted the urgent need to prioritize children’s needs in the fight against the outbreak.
A new variant of the Mpox virus, clade Ib, has raised concerns due to its potential to spread more widely, including among young children. The virus is currently affecting many children across Africa, with those who are malnourished or suffering from other illnesses being particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
Mpox spreads through contact with skin lesions, infectious bodily fluids, contaminated materials like clothing or linens, and respiratory droplets from an infected person. Pregnant women can also transmit the virus to their unborn babies.
UNICEF warns that children can be exposed at home or in the community through close contact with symptomatic individuals, such as parents or caregivers. Symptoms of Mpox resemble those of smallpox, though milder, and include skin rashes, fever, sore throat, headaches, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over half of the Mpox cases are among children under 15. Factors like widespread malnutrition, overcrowded living conditions, other infectious diseases, and limited healthcare access exacerbate the threat to children.
UNICEF is collaborating with Africa CDC, WHO, USAID, and FCDO to support national governments in addressing Mpox. Their efforts focus on children, pregnant women, and underserved communities, aiming to halt disease transmission and manage secondary impacts, such as child protection and school closures. The WHO is also working to speed up vaccine distribution.
