A Burundian doctor has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the mpox epidemic, accusing officials of suppressing data and failing to provide crucial information. Speaking anonymously, the doctor revealed that the pox has now spread to 46 out of Burundi’s 49 health districts, with 5,339 suspected cases reported between July 25 and December 12—50% of which were confirmed positive.
Burundi, which ranks as the second most affected African country after the Democratic Republic of Congo, has faced mounting criticism for its response. The United Nations earlier warned of the outbreak’s significant impact, particularly on children.
“The management of the current mpox epidemic in Burundi by the authorities is catastrophic, irresponsible, and criminal,” the doctor declared, urging for immediate transparency and decisive action.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic virus that can spread through direct human contact. While the disease is treatable, it can be fatal without proper intervention. Despite this, the Burundian government has reportedly refused international offers of mpox vaccines, further aggravating the crisis.
The doctor alleged that the Ministry of Public Health has been barred from releasing daily case updates, leaving the public uninformed. Media outlets have also been denied access to official data, with a local radio manager confirming the ministry’s refusal to share information.
The epidemic continues to escalate, with an estimated 10 new cases reported daily—numbers that remain unrecorded or unpublished.
Requests for comments from Burundi’s Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization’s Burundi office have gone unanswered.
As the epidemic worsens, calls for accountability and action grow louder, with health experts warning of the dire consequences of inaction.
