Mpox Still Major Threat Minister Warns

The ministry of health says the Mpox disease is still a major health threat and is urging the public to remain vigilant.

 

The minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng says the districts of Rakai, Kyotera, Kalangala, Isingiro and Ntungamo are cited as the risk areas.

 

Although many of the confirmed cases registered recoveries latest statistics show that 10 have lost their lives. 

 

Currently there are 169 Mpox patients being treated in various health facilities across the country.

 

Since July last year the number of total confirmed cases has risen to 1712 patients, out of these 1089 have been treated and survived.

 

During a public address on the Mpox situation Minister Jane Ruth Aceng says the regional risk is also still high with cross border movements of the population to Uganda and other neighbouring countries contributing to the threat.

 

Aceng has announced that the ministry of health will carry out a vaccination campaign against the disease next month after receiving vaccines next week from the Africa centre for disease control, this she says is one of the measures being put in place to curb the disease.

 

The vaccination campaign will target high risk population, close contacts of some confirmed cases and frontline health workers currently based in areas with active transmission.

 

“Other measures put in place to curb the disease include urging the local governments to regulate massage parlours, saunas and unregulated gatherings that contribute to the spread of Mpox.” Aceng noted.

 

Safety of school going children also is a top concern for parents and school authorities in the current Mpox outbreak.

 

“Of the total confirmed cases, 362 which represents 19% are among children aged 0-18 years,” says Aceng.

 

Aceng thus called on the general public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures and also report suspected cases to the nearest health facilities.