Masindi, Buliisa confirm Mpox cases, Ntungamo on alert
He said they are actively tracing contacts to contain the situation.
Masindi: The Ministry of Health has confirmed three cases of mpox in the Masindi and Buliisa districts, with two cases in Masindi and one in Buliisa.
The Masindi cases, involving two inmates at Masindi Government Prison were revealed by Chris Rujumba, the surveillance focal person for Masindi municipal council during a budget conference for Central Division held at the division head quarters in Kihande II Cell on Wednesday, October, 16, 2024.
Rujumba urged residents to practice strict hygiene and limit contact to prevent the disease from spreading, cautioning people to avoid contacts as a way of preventing easy spread of the disease with the district.
This therefore raised concern among the participants of the budget conference, forcing Tregras Isingoma, the LC II chairperson for Southern Ward, to inquire on the preventive measure put in place to combat the spread of monkey pox at a time when very many people from different parts of the country are flocking a hill in Rwensa following the reports of appearance of Blessed Mary.
In response, Rijumba disclosed that the district committee converged on a meeting on Wednesday in the morning hours to come out with measures on how best the outbreak can be handled.
In Buliisa, a 3-year-old child from Wanseko town council tested positive for mpox, with one out of eight samples sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute returning positive.
The Buliisa district health educator Robert Mugabe emphasized the importance of community vigilance and encouraged reporting of any suspected cases.
He said they are actively tracing contacts to contain the situation thus asked the community to be more vigilant and report any suspected case to authorities or any government health centre.
Meanwhile, Ntungamo District is on high alert due to the risk of Mpox and Marburg outbreaks, particularly because it borders Rwanda, where cases have surged.
Acting District Health Officer Ms. Beatrice Chemisto announced the formation of a monitoring task force, led by Resident District Commissioner Mr. Isaiah Kanyamahane, to combat the potential influx of these infectious diseases.
At key border points, including Kizinga and Kafunjo Mirama Hill, local health workers have been deployed to monitor incoming travelers for any signs of illness.
Ms. Chemisto expressed optimism that with the measures in place, the district has not yet registered any cases.
Mr. Nesterio Twesigye, the District Health Educator, highlighted the connection between Marburg and Ebola, emphasizing that Marburg spreads through direct contact.
He urged residents to practice preventive measures, such as handwashing and maintaining distance from others.
District Health Environment Officer Mr. Roland Nahabwe outlined symptoms of M-pox, including loss of appetite, joint pain, and respiratory issues, noting that vulnerable populations, like infants, pregnant women, and the elderly, are at greater risk.
The district is working diligently to mitigate these health threats and protect its residents.
Story filed by Innocent Atuganyira, Pascal Onega and Amon Muhumuza.
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