The Ugandan Ministry of Health has today got mpox sample collection kits worth USD 15,135 (identical to UgX 56 million) to support ethical and timely diagnostic testing, which is crucial in controlling the unfold of mpox in the country.
The sample collection kits, comprise 5,000 swabs with transport medium and 5,000 dry Dacron/polyester flocked swabs. The kits had been procured with generous funding from the Federal Republic of Germany thru the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies as allotment of support to the mpox outbreak response in Uganda. The kits would possibly be broken-down by districts and healthcare companies all the simplest draw thru the country to regain samples from suspected mpox instances and channel them to the Uganda Virus Examine Institute for testing.
During the handover ceremony, Dr. Charles Olaro, Director Curative Companies at Ministry of Health, welcomed the timely support of WHO and Germany, which is ready to facilitate like a flash detection and response to the mpox outbreak in the country.
“I thank WHO and Germany for this support that will enable us to make the right mpox diagnostics in order to recommend the appropriate treatment,” Dr. Olaro acknowledged.
Dr. Charles Njuguna Kuria, Acting WHO Representative to Uganda reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting Uganda in building a resilient smartly being map in a position to responding to public smartly being threats corresponding to mpox. He extra expressed gratitude for the sincere partnership with Ministry of Health and international partners esteem the Federal Republic of Germany.
“We wait on the Ministry and all healthcare companies receiving these kits to set them to instant exhaust in the sphere as we work together to mitigate the unfold of mpox and give protection to the smartly being and wellbeing of Ugandans,” said Dr. Njuguna.
On 24 July 2024, Uganda confirmed two cases of mpox in Kasese district and subsequently declared an outbreak on 2 August 2024. As of 23 September 2024, a total of 25 cumulative confirmed cases had been reported across the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Kasese, Mayuge, Amuru, Nakaseke, Kagadi, Nakasongola, Adjumani and Mukono.
Currently, 11 cases are admitted with no death while 12.5% of the total confirmed cases are from known contacts. The risk of spread of the virus within the affected districts and to other parts of the country that have not reported cases remains high. The detection of cases with no history of travel signifies a community transmission which requires urgent attention to determine any other epi-link with other exposures.
