By Manas James Okony
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus.
Characterized by fever, chills, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, Mpox poses significant health risks, particularly in places with poor healthcare infrastructure like South Sudan. As noted by the Africa CDC, between the beginning of 2022 and July 28, 2024, a total of 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths have been reported across various nations, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Kenya, and Uganda – countries that share borders with South Sudan.
South Sudan must take proactive infection prevention & control (IPC) measures to protect its population from this disease.
Mpox has an incubation period ranging from 5 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. During this time, an infected individual may not exhibit any symptoms, making it challenging to identify and isolate cases early. The primary reservoir hosts for the monkeypox virus include various wild animals, particularly rodents and primates native to Central and West Africa. Transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals, human-to-human contact, or contact with contaminated materials. Understanding these modes of transmission is crucial for developing prevention strategies.
Prevention Measures
To protect ourselves against mpox, we can adopt several measures, including:
- Awareness and Education:
Public awareness campaigns should be initiated to educate communities about mpox, its transmission, and its symptoms. Understanding the disease will diminish stigma and encourage individuals to seek medical help when necessary.
- Avoiding Contact with Potential Animal Reservoirs: Communities, especially those near forests or wildlife habitats, should minimize hunting and consuming wild animals, particularly rodents and monkeys that may harbour the virus.
- Promoting Hygiene Practices: Routine hand hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing with soap and clean water or using hand sanitizer, are essential. After contact with animals or sick individuals, hand hygiene should be prioritized.
- Quarantine Measures for Infected Individuals: In the event of an outbreak, timely isolation of infected individuals is vital. Public health authorities must facilitate access to medical care and implement quarantine measures to limit the spread of the virus.
- Strengthening Healthcare Services: Investing in healthcare infrastructure to ensure resources and personnel are trained to identify and manage cases of mpox effectively is an essential response measure.
To sum up, Mpox presents a serious health threat, especially for us in South Sudan. With reported cases on the rise just on our doorstep, it is imperative that citizens understand the disease’s nature, transmission modes, and implement effective prevention measures.
The writer of this piece, Manas James Okony, is a freelance South Sudanese journalist and public health professional.