The Ministry of Health (MOH) has intensified preventive measures after registering three more mpox deaths in Hoima and Entebbe, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed fatalities to four in Uganda.

Henry Kyobe Bbosa, the incident commander at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, during an interview with journalists, confirmed that two deaths were recorded at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital and one at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in the country’s midwestern region.

“Among the deceased is an eight-month-old baby boy and a 23-year-old woman from the central district of Wakiso and a 40-year-old man from the midwestern district of Kikuube,” Bbosa said.

He added that authorities have intensified preventive measures, including enhanced surveillance, case management, risk communication and community engagement, and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the virus.

Uganda confirmed and registered its first death in October 2024 in the midwestern district of Masindi.

The latest situation report issued on December 2, 2024, showed that the cumulative number of confirmed infections had hit 784.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads through close contact. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.

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On October 28, 2024, Uganda reported a cumulative total of 222 confirmed Mpox cases, with one death recorded. The outbreak has affected multiple districts, with Kampala being notably impacted.

Across Africa, mpox has claimed over 1,100 lives this year alone, with significant outbreaks reported in multiple countries. The African CDC has warned that cross-border transmission remains a major challenge, necessitating urgent international support and resources to combat the outbreak effectively.

Vaccination campaigns are being rolled out in affected regions, including Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of mpox and protect vulnerable populations.

The situation remains critical as health authorities work to address both immediate concerns and long-term strategies for managing mpox outbreaks in Uganda and across Africa.