On October 8, 2024, a case of mpox was confirmed in Nakasongola jail, central Uganda, prompting urgent health measures. The World Health Organization had previously declared mpox a global public health emergency in August 2024, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has since spread to Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.
The prison spokesperson reported that the infected individual has been isolated and is receiving treatment. With Uganda's overcrowded prisons, health authorities are particularly concerned about the potential for widespread transmission. Mpox, while generally mild, can be fatal in rare cases and spreads through close contact.
Frank Baine, a spokesperson for the Uganda Prison Service, indicated that the prisoner likely brought the infection into the facility, and protocols established during the Covid-19 pandemic will be used to manage the situation. Recent reports indicate that Uganda's mpox case count has risen to 41.
In a proactive response, the health ministry had secured 2,000 doses of mpox vaccines from the Africa CDC, although it remains unclear if vaccinations have commenced. Additionally, Uganda is on high alert for potential cross-border transmission of the Marburg virus from an outbreak in Rwanda.
Source: The East African, October 8, 2024.