Mpox: Save the Children Warns of Children's Vulnerability to Deadly Virus
Save the Children calls for urgent action to protect children from this deadly virus, highlighting the need for increased funding, vaccination efforts.
USA- Save the Children is sounding the alarm about the disproportionate impact of the mpox virus on children, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, writes Winston Mwale.
Recent data reveals that children under 15 account for about two-thirds of mpox infections in the DRC, representing nearly 90% of reported cases globally. Tragically, over 321 children have died from the virus.
"It's clear from the data: children are more at risk of both contracting and dying from mpox," said Dr. Revati Phalkey, Global Director of Health and Nutrition at Save the Children.
"We know from decades of experience that it is the most vulnerable children who will be worse off – like undernourished children and those living in crowded refugee camps with limited access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene."
Save the Children highlights five key reasons why children are particularly susceptible to mpox:
Higher Risk of Infection: Children are more likely to contract mpox than adults, with 70% of the DRC's 14,901 cases occurring in children under 15.
Increased Fatality Rate: Children are nearly four times more likely to die from mpox than adults, with a case fatality ratio of 8.6% for children under one year old compared to 2.4% for those aged 15 and over.
Potential for Delayed Diagnosis: The symptoms of mpox can resemble common childhood illnesses, like scabies and chickenpox, leading to delayed recognition and treatment.
Severe Complications: Mpox can cause fever, rash, lesions, severe headaches, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, respiratory problems, difficulty swallowing, and increased risk of secondary bacterial infections.
Disruption of Education: School closures or lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus could have a devastating impact on children's education, especially with the school year starting soon in many countries.
Save the Children is responding to the mpox outbreak in the DRC by providing water, sanitation, and health services support, including training community leaders on engagement, communication, and reporting suspected cases.
The organization is also collaborating with the national government in Burundi to develop a national response plan to the growing number of infections.
"It is critical that authorities and donors ramp up control measures, especially efforts to get vaccines to those who need them, in order to save children’s lives,” Dr. Phalkey urged.
Save the Children calls for urgent action to protect children from this deadly virus, highlighting the need for increased funding, vaccination efforts, and a comprehensive approach to combat the ongoing mpox crisis.