The Ministry of Health has dispatched a team from the National Response Team (NRT) to bolster efforts in Adjumani District to contain the spread of Mpox, confirmed in the area two weeks ago.
For the next two weeks, the team will collaborate with local health workers to conduct surveillance, monitor the situation, engage in risk communication, coordinate with partners, and build capacity to manage the outbreak effectively.
Paul Olony, the Mpox focal person for Adjumani, reported that while the district has recorded one confirmed case of Mpox, 24 suspected cases are currently isolated in various health units across the district.
"We are confident that this coordinated stakeholder approach will mitigate the health crisis and protect the population," Olony stated.
Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, Taban Peter Data, who chairs the district Mpox task force, pointed out that the region is prone to frequent disease outbreaks due to its proximity to Uganda’s porous border with South Sudan.
“I am glad that our health workers remain vigilant, especially as we continue receiving refugees from both Sudan and South Sudan,” Taban remarked.
Adjumani District Health Officer, Dr Dominic Drametu, raised concerns over the delayed transportation and testing of samples caused by the ongoing renovations of Karuma Bridge. "We will request the Ministry of Health to reactivate the central testing laboratory at Adjumani General Hospital to reduce turnaround time," Dr Drametu added.
Ben Anyama, Chairperson of Adjumani District Local Council Five, urged health workers to ensure that Mpox remains contained and does not spread to other areas.
"I call upon the Ministry of Health and our partners to strengthen laboratory capacities, support health workers, and enhance surveillance at refugee entry points along the border," Anyama said.
