Summary:
- According to Dr. Gilbert Arinaitwe Mateeka, the District Health Officer, the district has recorded a total of eight Mpox cases, with three still under management.
KABALE: Health authorities in Kabale District are urging residents to observe infection prevention and control measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases during the festive season, as the district grapples with three active cases of Mpox.
According to Dr. Gilbert Arinaitwe Mateeka, the District Health Officer, the district has recorded a total of eight Mpox cases, with three still under management. These active cases were confirmed in Butanda Sub-county, Buhara Sub-county, and Kahondo Sub-county. Dr. Mateeka assured the public that the patients are being managed and are responding well to treatment.
“During the festive season, we expect increased travel as people move across the country to visit relatives. This movement may expose individuals to infectious diseases. It is crucial for everyone to personally observe infection prevention and control measures to avoid contracting infections from those they interact with,” Dr. Mateeka said.
He emphasized the importance of regular handwashing and maintaining social distance as key preventive measures to reduce the transmission of infections.
CUE IN DR MATEEKA…..ON MEASURES…….RR/ENG//
Mpox, also known as Monkeypox, was first confirmed in Uganda in July 2024. The outbreak was initially declared in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which presents symptoms such as a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected individuals via touch, kissing, or sexual contact. It can also be transmitted from animals during activities like hunting, skinning, or cooking, as well as through contaminated materials such as sheets, clothing, or needles. Pregnant individuals can transmit the virus to their unborn babies.
