The Ministry of Health has classified 23 districts on the Uganda-DRC border as high risk for potential importation of the monkey virus MPOX.

The Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng said five of teh 23 districts are hosting refugees from DRC, while Kampala is included on the list.

A one-year MPOX preparedness and response plan has been developed. An emergency response mechanism similar to what was used during the Ebola and Murburg virus outbreaks has been reactivated at the Ministry of Health and Kasese district

Dr. Aceng on Thursday delivered a statement in Parliament about Uganda’s preparedness if the virus spreads into Uganda.

Her statement came hours after the World Health Organization declared Wednesday that the increasing spread of MPOX  in Africa is a global health emergency.

The global health agency warned the virus might ultimately spill across international borders.  There have been more than 17000 cases of MPOX since the beginning of 2024.

Five hundred people in 13 countries in Africa have died of this viral infection. Uganda has not registered any deaths. According to the Minister, the two people who tested positive for the virus were treated and discharged.

WHO said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, which already exceeds last year’s figures.

So far, more than 96% of all cases and deaths are in a single country — Congo. Scientists are concerned by the spread of a new version of the disease there that might be more easily transmitted among people. East African countries that have reported MPOX cases are Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda.

The minister reported that MPX transmission in DRC is expanding rapidly and that the risk of importation into Uganda remains high.

Aceng said schools and prisons increase the risk of first spread if there is a confirmed case because of congestion.

Regarding vaccination, Aceng reported that there are two vaccines under consideration for deployment.

MPOX , also known as monkeypox, was first identified by scientists in 1958 when there were outbreaks of a “pox-like” disease in monkeys. Until recently, most human cases were seen in people in central and West Africa who had close contact with infected animals.

Former State Minister for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala urges the public to avoid direct contact with monkeys and bats because they are reservoirs for such viruses. ” You are advised to visit the nearest hospital or health center in case of symptoms,” she said.