Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Uganda has ramped up surveillance efforts along its borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to prevent the entry of mpox, a viral disease that has recently surged in the DRC. Although Uganda currently reports no active cases, the Ministry of Health remains vigilant after successfully treating two imported cases in late July.
The Ministry of Health has identified over 20 districts near the DRC as high-risk zones for mpox transmission. To strengthen the country’s defenses, Uganda has launched a nationwide training initiative to equip health workers with the skills needed to detect and isolate potential cases promptly.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, a senior public relations officer for the ministry, emphasized the steps taken to enhance preventive measures. “We have intensified our risk communication for prevention and ensured that our laboratory systems are ready to swiftly test any suspected cases,” Ainebyoona stated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared mpox, previously known as monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern. This has heightened global awareness of the virus’s potential for widespread transmission.
Uganda is collaborating with WHO to secure mpox vaccines as part of its comprehensive preparedness and response strategy. Ainebyoona expressed confidence in Uganda’s ability to manage the situation, noting the country’s proven track record in handling other viral outbreaks like Ebola and Marburg. “Mpox is facing a resilient system that is well-equipped to prevent internal transmission,” he said.
The current mpox outbreak has been aggravated by the emergence of a more deadly variant, Clade 1b, which has a mortality rate of 3.6 percent, significantly higher than previous strains, according to WHO. The African Union’s health agency has reported a 160 percent increase in new mpox cases in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, underscoring the urgency of Uganda’s preventive measures.
