UNICEF focuses part of its efforts on psychosocial support for those infected and works to prevent them from being stigmatized.
MADRID, 14 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The expansion of infections of the mpox virus – former monkeypox – across the African continent, especially in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or Burundi, has activated the alerts of the main humanitarian organizations, which indicate that this disease It has a greater impact on minors, although they recognize that the lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic now serve to stop the infections of this new epidemic.
According to the latest reports from the United Nations, DRC has more than 5,600 mpox positive cases – of which about 75 percent are children and adolescents – and at least 25 deaths from the disease. For its part, in Burundi, which shares more than 200 kilometers of border with the DRC, although only a hundred are land, the figures are not more encouraging, and at the beginning of October more than a thousand cases had been registered, of which almost 60 percent are children and adolescents and 28 percent are children under five years of age.
It can be assumed that, despite the fact that it is a virus that is originally transmitted as a sexual disease, mpox affects children. The UNICEF representative in Burundi, France Begin, has spoken out in this regard in an interview for Europa Press in which she has addressed, beyond infections among minors, that the number of infections in the DRC “greatly affects” the situation. epidemiology in Burundi.
“One of the reasons we have now (to explain the spread of infections) is the proximity to the DRC (…) There is a lot of trade between the two countries, and this is one reason why there are more cases here. (DRC ) is the epicenter, and we are door to door,” said the UNICEF representative in Burundian territory.
On the other hand, it has addressed the reason for the number of infections among minors. Thus, Begin has stressed that these are already more vulnerable to diseases, since they may be suffering from other types of ailments or illnesses that undermine their immunity and facilitate the spread of mpox or other viruses. Furthermore, this sector of the population has an aggravating circumstance almost innately, and that is that it is more difficult to avoid contact with possible infected people.
“I myself have gone to a nearby place near the city center to visit and see how the situation is. The children, when they are together, are all stuck together, they play with each other. It is very difficult for them not to touch each other ( …) There were infected children who were playing together,” said Begin, who highlights at this point the importance of raising awareness about the benefits of hygiene.
LESSONS LEARNED DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
The main humanitarian and even international institutions – such as the case of the European Union – have worked to clarify that the epidemiological situation of the mpox has little or nothing to do with the outbreak of coronavirus infections that was recorded after first quarter of 2020. In this case, the disease focuses more on minors and has an infinitely lower mortality rate than COVID-19.
However, Begin has acknowledged that the way of treating people infected with mpox is somewhat reminiscent of COVID-19 patients, since they must also undergo a two-week quarantine. Likewise, raising awareness about the importance of washing hands, using disinfectants and protective barriers also contributes to reducing infections.
“Countries have learned what hygienic measures are, so now they can be implemented quickly (…) The difference is that COVID is, of course, more dangerous because it had infections with deaths, and mpox does not. There is no transmission by air, it is really physical contact with those who may have scars or skin lesions,” he said.
As already happened with the coronavirus, vaccination is a basic tool to stop infections. In fact, the DRC Ministry of Health, together with international organizations, launched an immunization campaign against mpox among the most vulnerable population in the “high priority” provinces at the beginning of the month.
However, UNICEF representative in the DRC, Grant Leaity, stressed that “vaccines are just a tool” and that to effectively reduce the spread of the disease “it is equally important to provide people with correct information about the symptoms.” and what to do if they fall ill.
In general terms, UNICEF has requested aid of 58.8 million dollars – slightly less than 54 million euros – to face the “growing mpox crisis in six African countries”, including the DRC and Burundi. These funds seek to “stop transmission, protect children and ensure the continuity of essential services.”
“This includes coordination with health authorities and partners, promoting vaccination, improving infection control and providing mental health support,” the United Nations Children’s Fund highlighted in its latest report on the mpox situation in Burundi.
UNICEF’S MISSION: RAISE AWARENESS AND PREVENT NEW INFECTIONS
In the words of Begin, the main mission of UNICEF in Burundi, but by extension also in other countries affected by mpox, is to reinforce awareness and promote adequate hygiene in order to avoid contagion of the virus, or at least manage to put it brake. To do this, they focus on involving local communities, health and political authorities to spread the importance of these customs.
On the other hand, Begin has pointed out that the United Nations Children’s Fund also focuses on ensuring that health workers have personal protective equipment, with safety screens, gloves, masks and adequate sanitary equipment; while hospitals and health centers also have access to water, alcohol and disinfectants.
Among the work carried out by UNICEF, Begin has also highlighted that a “very important” part focuses on managing cases of infected people, which is why they have enabled up to three isolation centers for those infected to quarantine for fourteen days, similar to what happened with COVID-19.
“You have to provide support with food, with medication. Sometimes it’s a bit of a challenge, because if they are children they can’t be alone. So the mother has to stay with the child or baby for those fourteen days and provide everything. possible support for food, for example,” he explained.
The UNICEF representative in Burundi has focused on the psychosocial support provided to those people who suffer from or have already overcome the disease. According to Begin, in some cases their reintegration into society is complicated and they are stigmatized for having been infected with mpox.
“When you suffer from this disease you feel sadness, but there is also fear, fear of being stigmatized. We have seen adolescents with scars on their faces, and we have to imagine that they must return to their community. So it is good that they are supported psychosocially,” Begin has pointed out.
UNICEF has highlighted that part of its efforts are also focused on preventing infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Burundi from saturating the health systems of countries where medical services are already deficient.
