Kabale District Health Team Calls for Vigilance and Reporting of Suspected Patients of Mpox Zoonotical Disease amidst Registration of 11 Cases Country wide.

Kabale District Health team has Urged Residents in the district to be vigilant closely and monitor one another as a preventive measure for Overcoming the Mpox zoonotical disease which is putting people’s lives at stake in other parts of the Country.

The call was made today at Kabale District Headquarters on Makanga Hill Central Division Kabale Municipality at the time when the Ministry of Health has registered 11 cases of mpox country wide following it’s declaration as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, (PHEIC).

The District health Team led by the Kabale District Health Education Officer Dr. Alfred Besigensi explained that Mpox disease has many signs and symptoms including; skin rash, fever, sore throat, headache, body aches, backpain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. He also notified the public that people at the fore front of contracting it are; hunters, Laboratory workers, People in close contact with Mpox patients, Mpox patients’ care takers, Young children and pregnant women due to their low immunity.

Dr. Besigensi further explained that amidst it’s signs and symptoms, Mpox can be avoided by avoiding close contact with an infected person, sharing of personal items, resisting from contacting wild animals and not eating them, getting vaccinated and getting supportive treatment early as soon as the infected person start experiencing such signs and symptoms.

While addressing Journalists today at the Kabale District Headquarters, The Kabale District Health Officer Dr. Gilbert Mateeka has appealed to the general Public pin Kabale district to be vigilant and report any suspected patient of Mpox within their areas of residence especially new comers and report them and to the neighbouring health workers, Because they have all the necessary equipment to handle them and a referral point which is Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.

Representing the Government of Uganda, The Assistant Resident District Commissioner,RDC of Kabale Martin Niwataho asked the public not to politicize this Mpox outbreak but rather corporate with them to bringing it to an end. He also said that they will continue to conduct community engagement in schools, markets and churches plus giving security in time especially at the boarder points of Katuna in Kabale, Chanika and Bunagana.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner, RDC Niwataho also clarified that there will general security in the whole district to deal with and curb those intending to sabotage Government efforts of ending the Mpox outbreak in the Country.