Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Jean Paul Muambangu Milambo
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Ethiopia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Cell Immunol
Mpox (formerly monkey pox) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus infection that has recently re-emerged as a global public health concern. In 2024, the WHO declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following a sharp rise in cases in Central Africa, including Burundi. This retrospective study analysed 115 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases reported between July and October 2024 in Bujumbura, Burundi, using national surveillance data. Descriptive analysis showed that children under 15 years accounted for over half of the cases, with a high burden among those under five. The most common symptoms were skin eruptions, fever, lesions, headache, and sore throat, with lymphadenopathy observed in nearly half of patients. Median delays were six days from symptom onset to notification and three days to laboratory confirmation. Compared with historical smallpox data, mpox was distinguished by frequent lymphadenopathy, asynchronous lesion pro gression, and lower mortality. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis, strengthened surveillance, and targeted paediatric interventions to control mpox outbreaks in urban settings.
Jean Paul Muambangu Milambo is a public health professional affiliated with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Ethiopia. His work focuses on infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and epidemi ological analysis of emerging and re-emerging viral diseases. He has been actively involved in regional response efforts and evidence generation to support data-driven public health decision-making across Africa.