Jane Ruth Aceng the Minister of Health has assured citizens, tourists, investors, and traders that Uganda remains safe to visit despite the recent Mpox cases, with the Ministry of Health fully in control of the situation. She emphasized that there is no cause for alarm, and the necessary precautions are in place.
Aceng revealed that when Mpox reemerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda’s Ministry of Health promptly conducted a risk assessment to anticipate potential imported cases. Since then, several immediate measures have been implemented to protect the population.
During a press briefing on Friday, Aceng confirmed that Uganda has recorded ten Mpox cases to date, with 49 contacts of the confirmed cases identified and currently under close monitoring.
“Of the ten cases, four individuals have fully recovered, while six are receiving care at the national isolation facility in Entebbe,” she stated.
She added that the majority of cases—60%—are male, while 40% are female. Additionally, over 40% of those affected fall within the 30-39 age group.
In response to the situation, Mulago and Entebbe hospitals have been designated as national isolation centers for Mpox management. The Ministry has also developed and widely disseminated home care guidelines for those with mild symptoms.
Aceng further noted that two vaccines are under consideration for deployment but are still undergoing emergency use licensure by the World Health Organization (WHO) and clearance by Uganda’s National Drug Authority.
When asked whether the situation would impact the school calendar, with students set to return for their third term, Aceng assured the public that the situation is under control, and there will be no disruptions, unlike the COVID-19 period.
In his remarks, Dr. Henry Kyobe, urged individuals with Mpox symptoms to seek care at referral hospitals rather than self-medicating, which could worsen the situation.
“Self-medication is highly discouraged. When you seek professional help, we assess whether your case is severe and provide the necessary care, potentially saving both you and your family,” Kyobe emphasized.
On 14 August 2024, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the mpox outbreak in the DRC and other affected African countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005).
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the Orthopoxvirus genus, can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or animals.
Severe cases can lead to disfiguring facial and body lesions, particularly among immunocompromised individuals, significantly affecting their long-term quality of life. In some cases, patients have reported complications affecting their eyes, including permanent blindness.
Although Mpox is generally self-limiting, the disease can be fatal, particularly in children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS. Without robust interventions, the disease could spread rapidly, overwhelming health systems, as has been seen elsewhere.
