MPOX PATIENT DISCHARGED FROM ISOLATION IN OYAM DISTRICT
Anyeke Health Centre IV. Photo by Ambrose Okai.
By Ambrose Okai
Oyam
A 16-year-old male pupil from St. Kizito Nursery and Primary School in Myene Sub County, Oyam District, has been discharged after a full recovery from Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox).
The patient was confirmed positive on November 9, 2024, and received treatment at Anyeke HCIV for over 21 days.
Dr. Caroline Agaro, the Assistant District Health Officer (DHO) of Oyam, confirmed that the patient tested negative and was released from isolation. She however said contacts tracing will continue as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Patrick Omara, the Incharge of Anyeke Health IV, stated, "he has progressed very well. According to our examination, he is fit for discharge. We are prepared to have the psychosocial team reach the family and the community to inform them that the patient is now free and will not transmit any disease."
Benson Dila, the Oyam LC5 Chairman, emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to preventive measures to curb the spread of Mpox.
"The community need not panic because the confirmed case has tested negative. However, no greeting and frequent hand washing remain paramount to prevent Mpox," Dila said.
Denis Emor Olum, the Health Inspector and Surveillance Focal Person for Oyam District, assured the population that the situation is under control. "We have a line-listed contacts that have been together with him, about 65 of them, and we are going to follow up on them for the next 21 days to see if any present with similar signs and symptoms," Emor said.
On November 20, 2024, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng reported that Uganda had over 495 confirmed cases of Mpox, with one death recorded.
Mpox is a viral disease spread between humans and animals, including squirrels, mice, rats, and monkeys. These animals serve as reservoirs for the Mpox virus.
Humans can acquire the infection through contact with such animals or by consuming infected meat. Once infected, the disease can spread between people through direct physical contact or indirect contact with contaminated materials used by an infected person.
Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox is treated with supportive care for symptoms such as pain and fever, with close attention to nutrition, hydration, skin care, prevention of secondary infections and treatment of co-infections, including HIV where present.
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