Cases Of New Mpox Variants Increase In Uganda, Can Spread From Skin To Skin

Illustration of Monkeypox (WHO/Katson Mairo)

KAMPALA - The number of cases of mpox (monkey pox) is increasing in Uganda, which comes from a new variant. Health officials in the African country reported that 11 patients had been detected as of Saturday. But so far, no patient has died from the virus infection.

According to the Director General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health Uganda Henry Gatyanga Mwebesa, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, September 15, all patients infected from the 1b klade virus variant. This variant is more deadly and can spread through skin to skin contact.

Ugandan health authorities first reported the disease outbreak on July 24, 2024. They noted that the virus entered Uganda from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RD Congo).

Uganda borders the Congo RD, the first country to report ampox outbreak in January 2023.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox known as monkeypox a public health emergency and had come to international attention on August 14, 2024. The status was given by WHO after the emergence of a new variant that seems easier to spread between humans.

But WHO also emphasizes thatmpox is not a new Covid pandemic. According to WHO, the African region is currently experiencing an increase in cases, with 14 affected countries.

Nearly all of the cases reported in Africa came from the Congotic RD, where most of the more than 500 deaths from thempox have been recorded.

Mpox infection causes flu-like and lesion-filled symptoms, as well as spreads through close physical contact. The disease can also be transmitted through virus-infected objects such as beds, clothes, and towels.

The disease is usually mild, but it can also be fatal.