Uganda receives testing kits for Monkey Pox

Jul 26, 2022

Aceng said the country has not yet registered any cases of Monkey Pox so far but maintained that surveillance has been heightened to counter any cases.

Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam World Health Organization Representative in Uganda handing over MonkeyPox testing kits to Jane Ruth Aceng the Health Minister at the Ministry. (Photo Godiver Asege)

Cecilia Okoth
Journalist @New Vision

HEALTH | UGANDA | MONKEYPOX VACCINE

 

The ministry of health this Tuesday received a total of 2,400 PCR testing kits that will help Uganda test for Monkey Pox, should any cases arise. 

 

The donation, made by the World Health Organisation (WHO), comes at the time when the disease was declared a global health threat on July 23, 2022. 

 

Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said whereas they had been carrying out tests, samples were being flown to South Africa. 

 

The donation, she added now makes it easier for Uganda to conduct and run tests should any cases arise. 

 

Aceng said the country has not yet registered any cases of Monkey Pox so far but maintained that surveillance has been heightened to counter any cases.

Jane Ruth Aceng the Health Minister adressing journalist at the ministry. (Photo by Godiver asege)

Jane Ruth Aceng the Health Minister adressing journalist at the ministry. (Photo by Godiver asege)

 

 

While delivering the batch at the ministry of health headquarters, Dr. Yonas Tegegn the WHO Country Representative in Uganda said the kits have a capacity of carrying out a total of 2,400 tests in three accredited laboratories. 

 

These include the Uganda Virus Research Institute, The Uganda National Health Laboratory Services, and the Department of Defense of the US Government. 

 

Cases of Monkey Pox have been registered in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. 

 

Monkeypox is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans that is caused by the Monkey Pox virus. It is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as beddings.  

 

Eating half-cooked meat and other animal products of infected animals is a possible risk factor.  

 

The incubation period of Monkey Pox ranges from six to 13 days. Research shows that three to six percent of people succumb to the disease.  

 

Signs and symptoms include; fever, rash, intense headache, swelling of the lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, and body weakness.

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