Has Uganda Experienced a Remarkable 70% Plunge in Mpox Cases Over Four Weeks?

Kampala, July 25 (NationPress) Uganda has witnessed a 69.9% reduction in mpox cases over the last four weeks, as reported in the latest situation update released on Friday by the Ministry of Health.

The findings indicate a steady decline in weekly reported cases, dropping from 233 in epidemiological week 26 to 173 in week 27, 108 in week 28, and 70 in week 29.

"This reflects a 25.8% decrease from week 26 to 27, 37.6% from week 27 to 28, and 35.2% from week 28 to 29," the report highlighted.

"Overall, there has been a 69.9% cumulative reduction in incident cases reported during the four-week timeframe."

Since the outbreak was declared in August of the previous year, Uganda has recorded 7,648 confirmed mpox cases and 48 fatalities.

Health officials have intensified efforts in vaccination, surveillance, case management, and public awareness campaigns to reduce the spread of the virus, according to Xinhua news agency.

The World Health Organization describes mpox as an infectious disease that can lead to a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, muscle pain, back pain, and fatigue. While most individuals recover fully, some may experience severe illness.

Mpox primarily spreads through close contact with an infected person, particularly among household members. Close contact can involve skin-to-skin interactions (such as touching or sexual activity), as well as mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact (like kissing). It can also occur through face-to-face interactions, which can produce infectious respiratory particles.

Individuals with multiple sexual partners are at an increased risk of contracting mpox.

Additionally, mpox can be transmitted via contaminated items such as clothing or linens, through needle injuries in healthcare settings, or in community environments like tattoo parlors.

During pregnancy or childbirth, the virus may be transmitted to the infant, posing serious risks that could lead to pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or complications for the mother.

The monkeypox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958 in monkeys used for research. The initial human case of mpox was recorded in a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970.

After the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the cessation of global smallpox vaccinations, mpox began to emerge more frequently in central, eastern, and western Africa. Since then, sporadic cases of mpox have been reported in these regions (clade I) and in western Africa (clade II).