Summary:
- According to the Kabale District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi and District Surveillance Officer Edward Arineitwe, the district is currently managing seven confirmed cases of Mpox.
KABALE: The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Kabale District Local Government, has launched a sensitization campaign targeting cross-border long-distance transporters and other key populations to prevent the spread of Mpox disease ahead of the Christmas festivities.
Speaking to long-distance truck drivers at the Katuna border and later to key populations, including bar owners and attendants, at the Central Division Main Hall in Kabale Municipality on Tuesday, Joan Ayebazibwe, a representative from USAID’s Social and Behavior Change Activity, emphasized the importance of creating awareness.
She explained that the trainings aim to educate transporters, who frequently travel across districts and borders, as well as other key populations, on how to identify and respond to Mpox signs and symptoms.
“Our goal is to not only enhance vigilance about the disease but also to empower these groups to play a proactive role in monitoring and reporting symptoms among travelers,” Ayebazibwe said.
She added that the initiative seeks to significantly reduce the transmission rate and prevent the importation of new cases.
CUE IN JOAN….ON THE DISEASE…..RR//
According to the Kabale District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi and District Surveillance Officer Edward Arineitwe, the district is currently managing seven confirmed cases of Mpox.
They noted that public health emergency operation centers have been activated across the district to coordinate the response to the outbreak.
Besigensi and Arineitwe urged the public to revive the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that were effectively used against COVID-19, such as regular handwashing, avoiding overcrowded spaces, and promptly reporting suspected cases, to curb the spread of Mpox.
CUE IN……ALFRED AND EDWARD……RR/ENG//
