Over 70 mpox patients recover, 4 new cases registered

The number of confirmed Mpox cases in Uganda has risen to 152, with 62 patients currently admitted and 73 having recovered, the Mpox Outbreak in Uganda Situation update of October 19, 2024, says.

The same report indicates there were four new confirmed cases reported in the past 24 hours. Notably, 17 cases are being moved to treatment units.

According to the report, 152 confirmed Mpox cases were recorded in (19) districts where Kampala is leading with 55 and Nakasongola 35.

This is followed by Wakiso with 23, Mayuge 11, Kasese where the disease originated has maintained four. Mityana, Mukono and Masindi have three confirmed mpox cases each.

Meanwhile, Mbarara, Nakaseke, Buliisa and Adjumani have recorded two cases each. Amuru, Kabale, Isingiro, Maracha, Lwengo, Kagadi and Dokolo have one case each.

Treatment units with active admissions are in the districts of Nakasongola, Wakiso, Mayuge, Nakaseke, Isingiro, Kabale, Buliisa, Dokolo, Adjumani, and Mbarara.

The majority of confirmed cases (98.6%) are Ugandan nationals, while 1,4 % are non-Ugandans.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Uganda has made significant progress in containing the outbreak with no reported deaths.

Mpox can cause painful skin lesions.  

DR Congo is at the epicentre of the latest outbreak and has recorded more than 21,500 cases and 700 deaths, according to the public health institute in charge of managing the epidemic in the country.

The World Health Organisation declared this outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

Understanding Mpox

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, says WHO technical in charge of case management Dr Annet Alenyo Ngabirano.

Alenyo noted that infected pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can pass on the virus to their unborn babies or newborn babies by close contact during and after birth.

In halation of droplets from infected individuals with nasal involvement or exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person.

Contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing or needles that have been used by an infected person.

Signs and symptoms

The incident commander mpox at the health ministry, Dr Henry Bosa Kyobe, says mpox can cause painful skin lesions. The signs and symptoms of mpox develop in two phases.

The first phase is characterised by fever, body ache and runny nose which last a few days. In the second phase, an individual will develop a skin rash, and swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, armpits, and groin. Others include: mouth and sore throat, headache, back pain, general body weakness, Kyobe said.

Management and prevention tips

Ngabirano says a person infected with mpox should be admitted into an isolation facility, counselled to understand the disease, how they got infected and the potential risk of infecting others. They are also told what to expect during their course of illness and admission at the isolation facility.   

Immediately, the patient is given supportive care which involves drugs and medicines. They are also given mental health and psychosocial support, and nutrition and they are given guidance on further infection prevention, for example wearing long-sleeved clothing to cover their wounds and avoid infecting others.

When infected with mpox, avoid physical or intimate contact with others, including sexual activity until the skin rash clears. If you are recovering from mpox you are given safer sex tips such as using condoms for 12 weeks (3 months), according to WHO recommendations, she notes.

Other tips

In addition, they should avoid physical contact and do not share linen, towels or personal care items with anyone with mpox.

• Mpox patients as well as the public should regularly practice hand hygiene: wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub, and regularly clean surfaces.
• Avoid handshaking, hugging and pecking, especially when someone has symptoms and is in the infectious stage.
• Practice respiratory hygiene: cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissues, dispose of used tissues immediately after use, and wash your hands.
• Patients are also encouraged to wear face masks to prevent infecting others through saliva droplets.