Juba, 7 February 2025—This present day the Ministry of Effectively being has declared a mpox outbreak in Juba, Central Equatoria Assert. This declaration follows a affirmation mpox Case by the Nationwide Public Effectively being Laboratory on 6 February 2025.
“The first case used to be reported on 6 February 2025 at Gudele Health center from a Ugandan national and a resident of Kupuri Camp in Juba. The confirmed case is underneath isolation and is being managed at Gudele Health center”, mentioned the Performing Effectively being Minister, Honorable James Hoth Mai, in a press convention in Juba.
A team of experts from national and subnational ranges, WHO, and diverse companions were mobilized to behavior a detailed field investigation, checklist all contacts, and make certain shut apply-up, Hon. Mai added.
He also added that the Ministry of Effectively being and WHO possess taken steps to build up the reported case well, making sure that every contact on the ground is adopted. He assured the voters to not terror but to build restful and apply security features that the government is committed to stopping the spread of mpox in South Sudan.
Addressing the clicking convention, Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Country Representative in South Sudan, counseled the Ministry of Effectively being for declaring the outbreak. The announcement permits the public to steal prevention measures, helps health companions steal the major steps to possess the outbreak, and unlocks the major resources for combating the outbreak. The affirmation of mpox in South Sudan showcases the national capabilities that WHO is proud to possess severely supported, mentioned Dr Karamagi.
With this outbreak, South Sudan becomes the twenty 2nd nation to be affected within the African space. After this affirmation, my team will enhance the referral of the definite sample to WHO-collaborating laboratories for sequencing and genetic characterization of the Mpox virus detected within the nation.
Dr Karamagi additional reiterated WHO’s commitment to assisting the South Sudanese govt and companions in enhancing illness surveillance, improving response coordination, and making sure the offer of affords. This entails supporting case management, laboratory testing, sample collection, transportation, and apply-up.
“Attributable to funding from our donors, WHO deployed experts and equipped technical and logistical enhance,” mentioned Dr Karamagi.
With the enhance of WHO, the Ministry has activated the Public Effectively being Emergency Operations Center and ready to coordinate responses to Mpox outbreaks, following the WHO pointers. An Incident Supervisor and key health officials were assigned to visual display unit five valuable entry recommendations into South Sudan for suspected Mpox cases from excessive-chance neighboring countries enjoy the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Kenya. All healthcare suppliers, at the side of these in personal practice, are receiving coaching on recognizing and responding to Mpox symptoms. We are making a laboratory community and possess examined samples from 141 suspected cases. Novel testing solutions were implemented, guaranteeing trusty outcomes via external quality tests. Fresh tests showed a 100% success fee, and our laboratory excelled in proficiency assessments. Furthermore, 40 clinicians possess bought coaching in Mpox case management to make certain effective medication and bolster our readiness for any that you might perchance perchance perchance hiss Mpox outbreaks in South Sudan.
The Hon. Minister also entreated the communities to practice trusty and safe behaviors, such as avoiding shut contact with an contaminated particular person, the utilization of personal protective instruments when caring for sufferers, not sharing bedding, clothing, towels, or utensils with sick folks, practising hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, isolate contaminated sufferers, withhold some distance from contact with wild animals and cook all meals containing new animal meat earlier than eating.
He entreated health workers to remain vigilant with excessive index suspicious for mpox, adhere to an infection prevention and withhold watch over measures, apply trendy operating procedures, and document suspected cases for added investigation.
The clicking convention used to be attended by the media, excessive-level govt officials, and companions, amongst others.
Technical Contacts
Dr Aggrey Bategereza, Email: bategerezaa [at] who.int (bategerezaa[at]who[dot]int)
Dr William Mbabazi, Email: mbabaziw [at] who.int (mbabaziw[at]who[dot]int)
