South Sudan has confirmed its first case of mpox, raising concerns about the potential spread of the virus in the country. The Health Ministry announced that a 31-year-old Ugandan national tested positive for the virus after exhibiting symptoms such as fever, rash, and body itching.
The confirmation of the mpox case has prompted the activation of the National Public Health Emergency Operation Center to coordinate the response. Public health officials are conducting contact tracing, isolating infected individuals, and implementing infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities.
The Ministry of Health is also launching public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the risk factors for mpox infection and preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact with infected individuals, practicing good hygiene, and seeking medical attention if they experience any symptoms.
The mpox outbreak in South Sudan highlights the importance of strong public health surveillance systems and rapid response mechanisms to effectively contain the spread of infectious diseases.
The government, in collaboration with international partners, must continue to strengthen its public health infrastructure and implement effective control measures to prevent further transmission of the virus.”