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Vigilance urged by health minister following monkeypox detection in Uganda

3 August 2024, 3:20 pm

By Philip Onyango 

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that monkeypox has been detected in the country, with two people suspected to be infected.

This was revealed by the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, during a press conference held at the ministry headquarters yesterday. 

Dr Aceng said that these cases were reported in Kasese district, where two people identified with the disease include a Ugandan citizen and a Congolese national.

Health Minister Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng during a press conference at the ministry headquarters.

Dr Aceng further explained that the patients had previously been in contact with nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and contracted the disease.

She urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases. She explained that monkeypox is similar to smallpox and is transmitted from animals to humans.

Dr Aceng added that the ministry has already made arrangements to acquire vaccines from the US government through the World Health Organisation (WHO), which will arrive soon.