Mpox: Staying ahead of the outbreak

Image from APA news.net, showing blisters and a rash, signs of mpox.

On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In Uganda, the Ministry of Health confirmed the first two Mpox cases in July 2024.  As of September 23rd, 2024, the Ministry of Health had confirmed 22 cases. No deaths have yet been associated with Mpox in Uganda.

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, related to the smallpox virus. Symptoms include a painful rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. It spreads through close contact with an infected person, their rash, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets.

Symptoms of Mpox

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• Rash that often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body

 How Mpox is transmitted

Mpox is spread through:

• Close contact with an infected person, including unprotected sex
• Contaminated materials (clothing, linens)
• Infected animals (rare)

How to prevent the spread of Mpox

• Avoid close contact with people who have a rash
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Use condoms during sex
• Get vaccinated if you are at high risk

Who is at risk of contracting Mpox?

Anyone, anywhere, can get Mpox. However, there are some categories of people that may be more at risk than others. These include:

• People that interact with Mpox patients, e.g., family members and sexual partners (including commercial sex workers).
• People taking care of Mpox patients without the correct use of personal protective equipment e.g. health workers and laboratory professionals.
• Children, pregnant women, and those who may be weak due to other health conditions.
• People who have many sexual partners.
• People who handle or eat meat from animals such as squirrels, rats, mice, and monkeys.

Can Mpox be treated?

Yes, Mpox can be treated. Health workers will treat the symptoms which include rash, pain and other complications. It is important to manage symptoms early and avoid further problems. Most people with Mpox recover within 2–4 weeks.

If you suspect that you have Mpox

If you experience Mpox symptoms,

• Stay home and inform a medical worker such as Village Health Team member (VHT) or community health worker.
• Contact the Ministry of Health by calling the toll-free line 0800 100 066 or send an SMS to U-Report on 8500
• Tell everyone you have been close to recently
• Avoid physical contact with others
• Report all suspected cases in your community to the VHT or through the toll-free line.

How is Mpox identified?

Because Mpox looks like other infections, it can be difficult to identify. The only way to confirm Mpox is by conducting a laboratory test.

What can you do to take care of yourself if you are sick and prevent further spread of the infection?

Once a health worker conducts an Mpox test and confirms that you have Mpox;

• Stay home and in your room if possible.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer
• Wear a mask whenever you are around other people until your rash heals.
• Keep your skin dry and uncovered when you are alone.  
• Take a bath with warm salty water for body sores and use salt water to rinse your mouth.
• Take pain relief medications, like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Use condoms during sex to reduce the risk of getting mpox. However, this will not prevent the spread of skin-to-skin or mouth-to-skin contact.
• Do not shave areas with sores until scabs have healed and you have new skin underneath (this can spread the rash to other parts of the body).
• Do not scratch sores. These sores will spread the rash to other parts of the body.
• Do not share beddings, linen, sharp objects and other personal items with other people.

 Can people be vaccinated against Mpox?

Yes, people can be vaccinated against Mpox. However, the Mpox vaccine is not yet available in Uganda. The eligibility of getting an Mpox vaccine is determined by a qualified health worker.

Getting an Mpox vaccine can help prevent infection. The vaccine should be given within four days of contact with someone with Mpox (or within 14 days if there are no symptoms). It is recommended that people at high risk get vaccinated to prevent infection with Mpox, especially during an outbreak.

Health facilities in refugee settlements in Uganda

Uganda has established health facilities specifically dedicated to serving refugees. These facilities are in refugee settlements across the country. These facilities offer a range of free services such as primary healthcare, maternal and child health, and HIV/AIDS treatment. They are equipped to handle Mpox.

Accessing healthcare in Kampala

Urban refugees based in Kampala are free to receive healthcare at all government health facilities in the city and metropolitan areas. These include Mulago National Referral Hospital located at Mulago Hill in Kampala, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, located along Salaama Road in Makindye Division, and Kawempe National Referral Hospital, located in Kawempe Division. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has also established 10 health centres in the different divisions of Kampala. 

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Numerous NGOs operating in Uganda provide healthcare services to refugees. These organizations often establish clinics or mobile health teams within refugee settlements and in Kampala to ensure access to healthcare. NGOs may focus on specific health issues such as reproductive health, nutrition, or mental health.

One of such organizations is Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA). AHA is a pan-African non-governmental organization dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance and development services to alleviate human suffering, particularly for vulnerable populations such as refugees and displaced communities.

Contact AHA

Call: [phone]    

Email: [e-mail]  

Other organizations offering support include Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO), which offers mental health services, Medicins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) offers reproductive health services HIV and tuberculosis prevention services, and many others. You can identify a health service organization through our service map here.

Partnerships and Coordination

In Uganda, the Ministry of Health works collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), international donors, and other development partners. These partnerships help to strengthen the health system and ensure the provision of health services to refugees. Through these partnerships and coordination, the refugees have been included in the HIV/AIDs, malaria, TB, nutrition, immunization and other health programs.

Contact the Uganda Ministry of Health

Toll free line: 0800 100 066

Resources for More Information:

• World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox#tab=tab_1 

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