Uganda records two additional mpox cases

Uganda has confirmed two more cases of the mpox virus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to four, according to the health ministry.

The new cases involve the clade 1b strain, a recent variant of the virus that has sparked global concern due to its increased transmissibility, News.Az reports citing Reuters.

The World Health Organization declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency after the new variant, which appears to spread more easily between people, was identified.

Health authorities in Uganda first reported an outbreak of the disease in the country on July 24 when lab tests of samples from two patients at a hospital near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo returned positive for mpox virus.

The latest two cases were confirmed this week, health ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Ainebyoona said, adding that one of the patients was a truck driver. He did not give details of the second patient.

Both patients were isolated at a hospital at Entebbe, a town about 50 km (31 miles) south of the capital Kampala.

Mpox infections cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, and transmit through close physical contact. While usually mild, the disease can be fatal.

Uganda borders Congo, where the current outbreak began in January 2023.

News.Az