By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of Mpox in South Sudan. A test conducted on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the National Public Health Laboratory in Juba, revealed a positive result.
The patient, a 31-year-old male foreign national residing in Kuperi Camp, Luri Payam, Juba County in Central Equatoria State is currently receiving treatment at Gudele Hospital.
The infected person is said to have recently traveled to South Sudan from Uganda, which also confirmed an Mpox outbreak last year.
Acting Minister of Health, James Hoth Mai, addressed the media in Juba, stating that skin lesion samples from the suspected patient were tested using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
The test confirmed the GELATE1-Mpox virus, a common strain in the East African region. He added that before the test carried the patient presented with fever, rash, and body itching on January 22, 2025.
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease primarily transmitted from animals (especially wild rodents) to humans.
Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct body contact with skin lesions, infected bodily fluids, or contaminated materials like bedding. Symptoms include fever, headache, malaise, body weakness, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Hoth stated that a team of national and sub-national health experts, along with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health partners, has been deployed to conduct a field investigation.
During the investigation process, the team will trace all contacts of the infected individual and ensure close follow-up to prevent further spread.
Minister Hoth urged the public to avoid close contact with infected individuals and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
“Anyone handling a suspected Mpox case should use personal protective equipment. Do not share bedding, clothing, towels, or utensils with sick people. Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette,” he stated.
He also called for the isolation of infected patients, avoidance of contact with wild animals (especially sick or dead ones), and thorough cooking of all animal products before consumption.
The World Health Organization Director-General and Incident Manager, Dr. Humphery Karamagi, confirmed South Sudan as the 22nd African country to report the virus.
He assured that WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is working to curb the spread and has provided 228 Mpox test kits.
Dr. Karamagi stated that the country currently can manage up to 20 cases and plans to increase this to 50. He added that regional support is available if needed.
WHO is also collaborating with regional laboratories to genetically characterize the Mpox strain in South Sudan to determine its origin and develop effective control measures?
Dr. Kibianda Chom, of the Ministry of Health, announced that surveillance systems will be strengthened at entry points like Elegu-Nimule Border, Juba International Airport, and other ground crossings.
He highlighted the country’s preparedness, noting the rapid confirmation of the case within 24 hours and frequent information sharing with counterparts within the region.
He added that all people who have come into contact with the infected persons will be traced, monitored, and tested.
Dr. Harriet Pasquale, Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Health, emphasized that while Mpox has a low mortality rate, it is a public health threat due to the burden it places on infected individuals.
She noted that deaths are more likely in patients with underlying health conditions and urged the public to observe standard operating procedures when handling suspected cases and report them to the nearest health center.