Guinea-Bissau: Mpox Outbreak - Jul 2026

The Ministry of Public Health declared Guinea-Bissau’s first mpox outbreak on 4 July 2026. By 20 July, three laboratory-confirmed cases had been reported: two in Bissau, including the first confirmed case in Cuntum, and one in Safim in Biombo Region. Twenty-six contacts were under active follow-up and no deaths had been reported. Delays between symptom onset and isolation, together with the absence of clear epidemiological links between the cases, suggested that undetected transmission was occurring. ([UNICEF, 23 Jul 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/4222891))

By 13 August, six laboratory-confirmed cases had been recorded, including two new cases during epidemiological week 32. Five cases were in the Autonomous Sector of Bissau and one was in Biombo Region, with no deaths reported. Of 46 suspected cases, 23 involved children under 15, including 16 children aged zero to four years. UNICEF supported government-led coordination, community engagement, infection prevention and control, and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in priority health facilities. A multisectoral UNICEF response plan was developed in alignment with the national 42-day response plan. ([UNICEF, 14 Aug 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/4225831))

As of 17 August, Guinea-Bissau had reported seven confirmed mpox cases, all among adults. Six were in the Autonomous Sector of Bissau and one was in Biombo Region, while no deaths had been recorded. The confirmed cases did not appear epidemiologically linked, raising concern about unidentified transmission chains amid significant gaps in community surveillance, contact tracing and testing. UNICEF, WHO and other partners continued supporting surveillance, infection prevention and control, water, sanitation and hygiene measures, and public information activities. ([UNICEF, 20 Aug 2026](https://reliefweb.int/node/4226424))

As of 23 August 2026, Guinea-Bissau had recorded 58 suspected mpox cases, including ten laboratory-confirmed cases and no deaths. A