A case of Mpox detected in a Ugandan prison: a new health alert

An inmate at Nakasongola prison in Uganda has tested positive for the mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox), sparking a new health alert in the country. The inmate, who was jailed for murder, was immediately isolated and is receiving appropriate care. Authorities suspect he contracted the virus before arriving at the prison, but investigations are ongoing to confirm the source of the infection.

The spread of mpox in Uganda

Since the beginning of 2024, Uganda has seen a notable increase in cases of mpox, with 41 confirmed cases so far. The virus, which mainly affects Central Africa, has seen its number of cases increase in several countries in the region, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue strict recommendations to contain the outbreak. The rise in cases in Uganda is particularly worrying given the state of the health system in some rural areas of the country.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health has already implemented isolation and treatment protocols, similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, to limit the spread of the virus. According to health authorities, the Nakasongola inmate is currently under medical surveillance, and no new infections among other prisoners have been reported yet.

The context of MPOX in Africa

MPOS, which is spread primarily through close physical contact, has symptoms similar to smallpox, although it is generally less deadly. The current outbreak has spread to several African countries, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Uganda. The resurgence of the disease has brought with it concerns about the ability of the region’s health systems to contain further waves of infection.

In Uganda, authorities are trying to increase public awareness through public health campaigns, particularly in prisons and other closed facilities where the risk of contagion is high.