The number of MPOX virus infections in Uganda has risen to ten and all patients are suffering from a strain of the virus, clade 1b, which is more easily transmitted from person to person, a health official said on Saturday.
The country borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the current outbreak began in January 2023, making Uganda a particular focus for health authorities.
The first two cases in Uganda were confirmed in July.
Henry Kyobe, who is leading the government’s smallpox response, told Reuters the country had 10 cases so far, with four patients still in isolation and six already treated and discharged from hospital.
“We are happy that we have not recorded any deaths so far and we are confident that we will defeat the epidemic,” Mr Kyobe said, adding that they had conducted more than 200 tests on suspected patients.
In mid-August, the World Health Organization declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency after the new variant was identified.
The Mpox virus causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled sores, and is spread through close physical contact. Although usually mild, the disease can be fatal if left untreated.
