By Stanley Ebele
Health authorities in Moroto district are on high alert following confirmation of two Mpox cases.
The two cases are of a 28 year old businesswoman from Singila Trading Center in Katikekile sub-county and another is a resident of Moroto government prison.
Dr. James Lemukol, the Moroto District Health Officer (DHO), says that the first case was confirmed early this week while the second case was confirmed on Saturday morning.
He explains that the second victim who is a man, is one of the contacts of the first confirmed case.
According to Dr. Lemukol, the victim was put under institutional quarantine at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital after he presented with signs and symptoms consistent with Mpox.
He adds that the victim’s blood samples were sent to Uganda National Virus Research Institute for analysis, where it was confirmed this morning that he had the virus.
According to Dr. Lemukol, the district is fully prepared to contain further spread of Mpox.
“”We have reactivated the taskforce and the response team is always on alert to respond to any suspected case of Mpox”, says Dr. Lemukol.
Dr. Stephen Pande, the Director Moroto Regional Referral Hospital confirms that the two patients are under institutional quarantine at Moroto Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
He explains the first patient is suspected to have contracted Mpox disease in Busia where she had gone to check on her family members who had signs and symptoms of Mpox disease.
Dr. Pande adds that the district surveillance team has embarked on tracing the contacts of the confirmed cases for isolation and testing.
As of now Singila and Moroto government prison are the epi-center of the viral disease.
In order to prevent further spread of the disease the public is urged to remain cautious by avoiding large gatherings, handshakes, and other activities that could facilitate the spread of the disease.
The Mpox outbreak in Moroto comes barely two months after Katakwi district confirmed the first case.
Out of the three cases recorded in Katakwi, it is alleged that one of the patients was a pupil who had been studying at Kasimeri Primary School in the Moroto district.
Meanwhile Uganda confirmed the first cases of Mpox on 24 July 2024 following the confirmation of two case-patients from Kasese District, Bwera Hospital by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) through a routine sentinel surveillance system.
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox formerly known as Monkey pox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
This followed an International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee meeting, where affected member states, including Uganda, presented their data.
The global trends indicate that all WHO regions are currently reporting Mpox cases.
According to the World Health Organization, Mpox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkey pox virus.
Signs of Mpox
Mpox can present with a variety of signs and symptoms, including a rash that may appear on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or around the genitals.
Other common symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and a general feeling of fatigue.
Individuals may also experience myalgia, which includes muscle aches and back pain, along with headaches.
Respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, and cough may also occur.
The disease can be transmitted through close contact with someone who has Mpox, contaminated materials, or infected animals.
