Mpox Case Detected in Central Uganda Prison, Caseload Rises
A mpox case has been identified in a central Ugandan prison, with the patient isolated and receiving treatment. Uganda's total mpox cases have increased to 41, as health officials prepare to provide an update on the outbreak.
In a recent development, Ugandan authorities have confirmed a case of mpox in Nakasongola jail, located in central Uganda. The infected individual, currently incarcerated for murder charges, has been placed in isolation and is undergoing treatment.
Frank Baine, a spokesperson for the Uganda Prison Service, stated, "Unfortunately the prisoner couldn't be given bail since he's being held for murder. We suspect he came in with it but that's being investigated."
This case comes amidst a broader mpox outbreak that has been affecting Uganda. As of last week, the country's total mpox caseload had reached 41, according to a health official cited by the Daily Monitor, Uganda's leading independent newspaper.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024, following the identification of a new variant. The outbreak initially emerged in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo at the beginning of the year.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection first discovered in 1958 in a colony of research monkeys. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, with Uganda experiencing previous outbreaks in 2003 and 2017.
Typical symptoms of mpox include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease is usually self-limiting, with symptoms lasting 2-4 weeks. Transmission occurs through close contact with infected persons, animals, or contaminated materials. While there is no specific treatment for mpox, vaccines developed for smallpox can be effective.
The 2022-2023 mpox outbreak marked the first time the disease spread widely outside endemic countries. In November 2022, the WHO changed the disease name from monkeypox to mpox to reduce stigma.
Healthcare workers are at increased risk of exposure to mpox, making proper hygiene and personal protective equipment crucial in preventing transmission. The virus belongs to the same family as smallpox, and the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 led to decreased immunity against related poxviruses.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, has indicated that an update on the outbreak will be provided later today. As the situation develops, authorities continue to monitor and respond to the spread of mpox in Uganda.
