A confirmed case of mpox has been reported in Nakasongola Prison, located in central Uganda, according to a statement released by the Uganda Prison Service on Tuesday.

The affected prisoner, who is facing murder charges, has been isolated and is receiving medical treatment. Prison authorities are investigating the source of the infection.

Frank Baine, the spokesperson for the Uganda Prison Service, expressed concerns that the prisoner may have contracted the disease prior to his arrival at the facility. "We suspect he contracted the disease before arriving at the facility, but investigations are ongoing," Baine said. The inmate is not eligible for bail given the severity of the charges against him.

Mpox, a viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. It presents with symptoms like fever, rash, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. While mpox is less contagious than other diseases, it poses a significant health risk, especially in environments like prisons, where individuals live in close quarters.‍

Mpox Outbreaks and Regional Spread

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Its symptoms include fever, rash, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Although less contagious than some other diseases, mpox poses significant health risks, especially in environments like prisons where overcrowding can accelerate transmission.

Mpox has spread across several countries, with cases confirmed in Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, and Uganda – a total of 18 nations.

‍Rwanda Strengthens Mpox Response with Vaccine Delivery

As Uganda deals with this latest case, neighboring Rwanda has taken additional measures to combat its own ongoing mpox outbreak. On the evening of October 6, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre’s Vaccine Programmes Unit received 5,420 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, delivered by the Commission. This vaccine, which is approved for use against both smallpox and mpox, is a key tool in Rwanda's efforts to control the spread of the virus.

The delivery of these vaccine doses highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing infectious disease outbreaks. Rwanda’s proactive response aims to protect its population from further transmission and mitigate the impact of the virus on public health.

Both Uganda and Rwanda’s actions underline the critical importance of swift medical interventions and containment strategies in preventing the spread of mpox, especially in high-risk environments like prisons and densely populated communities.

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