Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The recent increase in confirmed Mpox cases in Uganda has ignited concerns and debates about the potential reintroduction of preventive measures, such as physical distancing and lockdowns, to prevent further spread of the virus.
As of Tuesday 3, September 2024, Uganda has recorded ten Mpox cases across various regions since the first two cases were detected in late July.
While the initial cases were traced back to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the disease is rapidly spreading and has claimed numerous lives, Dr. Henry Kyobe, the Incident Commander at the Ministry of Health, reported that recent cases have emerged from different parts of Uganda, including Kampala, Mayuge, and Elegu. Disturbingly, these new cases cannot be linked to individuals who have traveled abroad, indicating local transmission.
Dr. Kyobe mentioned that they are utilizing the infrastructure developed during the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks to control the spread of Mpox.
Over 200 samples from suspected cases have been tested at various facilities, including the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the National Public Health Laboratory in Butabika, and mobile laboratories in Bwera, Kasese district.
Uganda has a history of effectively managing cross-border public health emergencies, such as the Ebola outbreak, often through strict measures like lockdowns and border closures. The country, for example, imposed one of the world’s longest school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given this history, there is growing concern among the public that similar stringent measures might be reinstated to curb the spread of Mpox, a disease characterized by slow recovery rates and a low death rate.
However, Dr. Kyobe assured the public that lockdowns are not on the table. Instead, they are focusing on compassionate approaches and avoiding interventions that could lead to stigma and cause individuals to hide, potentially worsening the spread of the virus.
Dr. Daniel Okello, the Director of Public Health at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), emphasized the importance of maintaining proper hand hygiene and confirmed that there are no plans to impose lockdowns, as they may not be effective in controlling Mpox transmission. He also highlighted the availability of antiviral treatments and vaccines that could be utilized if infections continue to rise.
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Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were necessary because there were no immediate interventions available, Dr. Okello explained. Thomson Odoi, a public health expert from Baylor Uganda, stressed the need for better information dissemination, particularly among those involved in public transport, noting the increased movement of people from Congo to Kampala.
Dr. Kyobe also revealed that most of the ten confirmed Mpox cases are linked to sexual transmission, with lesions appearing in the genital area. This trend is consistent with reports from other regions, where men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers are among the most affected groups.
