Health officials in Mukono are urging three Mpox patients to accept treatment at the Entebbe National Isolation Centre, after they declined to be transferred there.
The district has recorded a total of 33 Mpox cases since last year, with 30 patients agreeing to receive treatment at the centre, but three have recently refused.
Dr. Stephen Mulindwa, the Mukono District Health Officer, confirmed that authorities are in direct contact with the patients and are working with local security agencies to encourage compliance.
“We are negotiating with them, and I am confident that they will accept treatment. We may evacuate them today,” Dr. Mulindwa said.
He emphasised that, under current treatment protocols, the Entebbe facility is the designated treatment centre for Mpox patients.
“If you test positive and refuse to go to Entebbe, we cannot treat you here, as we do not have the necessary facilities,” he explained.
The refusal of treatment has raised concerns among Mukono residents, who are urging the authorities to take a firmer approach.
Wilberforce Katende, a local resident, expressed fears that the patients could mingle with the public, increasing the risk of transmission.
“Why delay evacuation, knowing their presence in public increases exposure?” Katende questioned.
Dr. Mulindwa added that sex workers are currently identified as the primary drivers of Mpox in Mukono.
Taxi drivers, Boda Boda motorcyclists, and market vendors are also among those at higher risk due to their frequent contact with infected individuals.
In response, Mukono District formed a task force led by Resident District Commissioner Fatumah Ndisaba, tasked with combating the epidemic.
The task force has implemented several strategies, including public sensitisation via community audio towers, radio talk shows, and the Village Health Teams (VHT) model.
Dr. Mulindwa’s key message is to discourage sexual contact with unfamiliar partners, as the disease’s symptoms may not appear immediately.
He also stressed the importance of avoiding crowded places and practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands and clothing of individuals suspected to have been exposed.
“Do not engage in sexual activities with people you don’t know, as you may unknowingly contract the disease,” Dr. Mulindwa warned, adding that other forms of close contact, such as kissing, should also be avoided.
Mpox is a viral infection that causes symptoms such as a painful rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, and fatigue. While most individuals recover fully, some may experience severe illness.
Since the start of the outbreak, 1,571 cases have been confirmed in Uganda, with the majority of fatalities involving people living with HIV. The most recent death was reported on January 1, 2025.
Despite the national increase in Mpox cases, Dr. Col. Henry Kyobe, the National Incident Manager for emergencies, noted a decline in infections during the festive season, with over 40 districts reporting no cases in the last two weeks.
However, Greater Kampala continues to see a rise in new cases. Authorities are continuing their efforts to curb the spread of Mpox, with heightened vigilance and outreach in affected areas.
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