The Ministry of Health has called upon the public to be vigilant if the country is to curb the spread of Mpox disease in Uganda.

The Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, while addressing the media on September 6, 2024, at the ministry headquarters, emphasized the importance of monitoring Mpox symptoms, which include fever, body weakness, and a rash that can develop into blisters and sores.

Aceng advised individuals who may have been in contact with confirmed cases to avoid close interactions, particularly with vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

According to Aceng, the Ministry has implemented contact tracing measures, with at least 95 contacts of confirmed Mpox patients who are currently being monitored.

She further encouraged the public to maintain good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing and using alcohol-based sanitizers, since the virus spreads easily.

“Studies show that the Mpox virus lasts up to five days on dry surfaces like stainless steel and glass, three days on plastic surfaces, and two days on wooden cardboard and absorbent surfaces. Absorbent surfaces like bedding and clothing pose a higher risk of infection even though the virus lasts for a short period of time, which is two days,” Aceng stated.

Aceng said that Mpox can be transmitted through human-to-human contact, direct physical contact, kissing, or sexual intercourse with an infected person and can also spread through contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or needles that have been used by an infected person.

The call comes as the country continues to manage an outbreak that has confirmed 10 cases, with new infections reported in various districts, including Kasese, Mayuge, and Kampala, among others. However, 4 individuals have since recovered, while 6 are currently receiving care at the National Isolation Facility in Entebbe.

Mpox epidemic spread from Kamituga, South Kivu, in the DRC to the Eastern DRC, with trans-border spread to Burundi, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.