The first two cases of mpox, both female adults, were confirmed in Uganda at Bwera Hospital on the border of DRC on 24 July 2024 by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).
The Ministry of Health declared an mpox outbreak on 2 August 2024, identifying 23 districts (out of 147) as very high or high risk.
As of 30 September 2024, 11 districts had confirmed 41 cases, with no registered deaths. Out of all cases, four were children aged 2, 12, 13 and 17 years.
The first mpox case in schools was confirmed in a secondary school on 27 September 2024.
As of 30 September, out of the 41 reported cases, only 17were still under treatment, while 24 had recovered.
7.3 per cent of the cases are from known contacts.
More alerts continue to be registered in Kasese District, where the first case was reported, as well as in other districts, both bordering and not bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
UNICEF is leading the Risk Communication and Community Engagement pillar in support of the Ministry of Health, and has developed and disseminated 372,600 leaflets and posters, translated into 23 local languages and 13 refugee languages across 25 high-risk and affected districts.
UNICEF supported Mayuge District with transport to distribute nearly 4,000 health promotion materials to two sub-counties of Kigandalo and Kityerera.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF MPOX IN UGANDA
On 24 July, the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) confirmed the first two cases of mpox in Uganda, both involving adult females, one of whom was pregnant. These cases were detected in Bwera Hospital, Kasese District (bordering DRC). According to the Ministry of Health in the National mpox Response Plan, 23 out of the 147 districts in the country have been classified as very high and high-risk districts. By 2 October 2024, cases had been reported in 11 districts3 , with five4 , among those, considered very high and high-risk. As of 30 September 2024, 41 confirmed cases with no deaths had been reported, out of which only 17 were still under treatment, and 24 reported recovered and discharged.
Out of the 41 cases, four are children, aged 2, 12, 13 and 17 years. The first mpox case in schools was confirmed in a secondary school in Wakiso on 27 September 2024, with no further case registered in the reporting period. The Ministry of Education and Sport (MoES) collaborated with the MoH to ensure the tracing of all contacts of the child. The MoES also visited the school, and shared mpox Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed in coordination with the MoH department of school health, WHO and other partners, including UNICEF. The SOPs provide clear information on the symptoms, on what happens if infected, on how to prevent and report. The MoES also shared key messages to all teachers and school administration, on the role of schools and most importantly on the importance of immediate referral to health facilities of any suspected case.
The Ministry of Health (MoH), in coordination with partners, including UNICEF, finalized a "National mpox Preparedness and Response Plan " , covering the period July 2024 - June 2025, with a required budget of US$6.7 million. The MoH activated all response pillars at national and subnational level, including district task force (DTF) coordination meetings in all affected districts. These efforts are expected to expand to all 23 high-risk and affected districts.