DAR ES SALAAM, July 29 -- The East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc, on Monday called on its eight member states to educate their citizens on how to protect themselves and prevent the spread of mpox (monkeypox), an infectious disease caused by the mpox virus.

The alert follows reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) that Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), both members of the EAC, are experiencing an outbreak of the viral mpox disease, the EAC said in a statement issued by its headquarters in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha.

The statement said Burundi has confirmed three cases of mpox in the country's western region, verified by national laboratories and the WHO.

Since 2022, the DRC has reported over 21,000 cases of mpox and more than 1,000 deaths, according to the WHO.

The statement said Burundi borders the DRC, Rwanda, and Tanzania, while the DRC borders five EAC member states -- Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Other members of the EAC are Kenya and Somalia.

The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth said it is crucial to take preventive measures to minimize the spread of the disease.

"EAC member states must provide necessary information about the disease and take preventive measures," he said.

The mpox virus spreads from animals to humans and transmitted between people through close contact, contaminated objects, and respiratory droplets. Mpox symptoms include skin rash or lesions, fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, general body weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, typically lasting two to four weeks.

While most cases are moderate, severe cases and deaths can occur, said the statement.

  - Xinhua