Attached is a Public Health notice from the Ministry of Health regarding MPox (Monkey Pox / MPXV).  One of our directors was invited to attend a brief hosted by the Ministry and the WHO to address the issue of the virus.  The main take-away to be gleaned from the briefing can be highlighted as follows: Uganda has handled more serious outbreaks of viruses in the past and has handled them swiftly and competently. For most people, MPox gets better on its own and symptoms can be managed at home, however those with underlying immune deficiencies (ie HIV)  are more vulnerable to serious illness. The virus is endemic to Central and West Africa where several mammalian species (especially rodents) are natural reservoirs.  MPXV can infect nonhuman primates and cause zoonotic infections in humans after close contact with an infected animal. In May 2022 an initial cluster of human Mpox cases was identified in the UK, with the first case confirmed in a patient who had recently travelled to Nigeria. The infection subsequently spread via human-to-human transmission within the UK and Mpox cases began to appear in other countries around the world where the MPXV is not endemic. People at risk of contracting the virus are primarily:

1. Health workers who are caring for Mpox patients
2. People with risky sexual behavior who have multiple partners

The virus, which is transmitted primarily through close skin-to-skin contact and exchange of body fluids, manifests itself first as general malaise / flu-like symptoms followed by a rash that spreads over the body.  The rash can last up to 2 weeks. MPOX is NOT airborne. It is highly likely that those who were administered the smallpox vaccine up until the early 1970s will have protection against MPox. At the time of writing (August 21, 2024) a few isolated cases have been seen in the region:  Burundi (100 cases) Rwanda (4 cases) Uganda (3 cases) and Kenya (1 case).  The Uganda cases are:

1. A trader from DRC
2. A young mother from DRC who came into Uganda seeking medical care
3. A forestry worker

All the cases are under surveillance and protocols are being observed. The Minister of Health stressed that there is no need to restrict travel or screen travelers. Read the Public Health Notice from Ministry of Health here: MPOX