Mpox in Uganda: Most confirmed cases are students — report
Oct 31, 2024
The latest situation report says that students make up the majority of the confirmed mpox cases in Uganda.
(L-R) Immaculate Atuhairwe, the WHO Country Emergency and Readiness Officer makes her remarks as Tabley Bakyaita, the social behavioral change technical officer risk communication and community engagement at the Health Ministry listens. This was during a media training on MPOX at Fairway Hotel in Kampala on October 31, 2024. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
Agnes Kyotalengerire
Journalist @New Vision
The number of confirmed mpox cases in Uganda is now at 262, with the capital Kampala still having the highest number of new infections, according to the Mpox Outbreak in Uganda Situation update of October 29, 2024.
A total of 28 districts have been affected, with 98 new confirmed cases reported in the last one week.
One death has been recorded, translating into a case fatality rate of 0.38%.
Besides Kampala, mpox cases have also been confirmed in Nakasongola, Wakiso, Mayuge, Kasese, Mukono, Buliisa, Masindi, Nakaseke, Mityana, Mbarara, Adjumani, Amuru, Isingiro, Kanungu, Lira City, Lwengo, Luuka, Kagadi, Dokolo, Namayingo, Hoima City, Mubende, Kabale, Tororo, Gulu, Kalungu and Nebbi.
Treatment units with active admissions are in the districts of Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Kasese, Wakiso, Adjumani, Kabale, Isingiro, Buliisa Kanungu, Dokolo and Mbarara.
Students majority
The latest situation report says that students make up the majority of the confirmed mpox cases in Uganda.
These are followed by fishermen, bar attendants, commercial sex workers, roadside vendors, and others.
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Journalists participate in the media training on MPOX at Fairway Hotel in Kampala on October 31, 2024. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
Additionally, males are more affected than females.
This data was revealed during a media orientation on the mpox outbreak in Uganda at Fairway Hotel Kampala on Thursday (October 31).
Zoonotic disease
Mpox is a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to human beings through handling or consuming infected animals, such as squirrels, rats, mice or monkeys.
It can also be spread from the infected human being to another through direct physical contact such as kissing, or sexual contact with an infected person.
You can also catch the disease if you inhale droplets from an infected individual or if you get in contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing or needles that have been used by an infected person.
Immaculate Atuhaire, the WHO Country Emergency Readiness Officer, said that infected pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can pass the virus on to their unborn babies or newborn babies by close contact during and after birth.
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Some of the journalists who attended the media training on MPOX at Fairway Hotel in Kampala on October 31, 2024. (Photo by Maria Wamala)
Individuals can get infected by getting in contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing or needles that have been used by an infected person, she added.
Signs and symptoms
It takes five to 21 days for the person infected with mpox to develop signs and symptoms, also termed as the incubation period.
Atuhaire said the signs and symptoms start from the entry point of the virus or the point of exposure. For instance, if your left hand rubs on the body of an infected person, then the rash will start from there.
Additionally, if you have had a sexual encounter with an infected person, then the rash will start to develop around the private parts, and later spread to the entire body.
Two phases
The mpox signs and symptoms develop in two phases.
The first phase is characterized by fever, body ache and runny nose, which lasts a few days.
In the second phase, an individual will develop a skin rash, swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, armpits, and groin.
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Other signs and symptoms may include mouth and sore throat, headache, back pain, and general body weakness.
Prevention tips
Tabley Bakyaita is the social behavioral change technical officer for risk communication and community engagement at Uganda's health ministry.
He said there is need to raise awareness without scaring people but rather encouraging them to seek medical care.
He discourages the public from eating infected animals, such as squirrels, rats, mice or monkeys, given that mpox is transmitted from animals to human beings.
It is also important that you observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs), for example, washing hands regularly using soap and water, using an alcohol based hand rub, and regularly cleaning contaminated surfaces.
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Additionally, you should avoid shaking hands, hugging, kissing and pecking.
When infected with mpox, you should avoid physical or intimate contact with others, including sexual activity until the skin rash clears.
If you are recovering from mpox, it is advisable to practice safer sex by using condoms for 12 weeks (three months), according to WHO recommendations.
You should not share linen, towels, or personal care items with anyone.
Background
On August 14, 2024, UN's health agency WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.
It was the second time in two years that the agency reclassified mpox to this highest level of response.
The global alert was preceded by a declaration by the African CDC recognizing mpox as a public health emergency of continental security.
These declarations underline the seriousness of the situation and the need for concerted efforts to curb the spread of the disease.