East Africa: Maximum Alert Against Monkey Pox
East Africa is facing a new health crisis. A series of confirmed cases of monkeypox in several countries in the region has triggered an emergency alert. Local authorities and the East African Community (EAC) are stepping up measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Ugandan authorities announced on Saturday the detection of two cases of monkeypox near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nine people who had contact with the cases have been put under medical surveillance to prevent further spread.
Regional Expansion of the Disease
In Rwanda, the discovery of two new cases last Thursday has heightened concerns. The situation worsened in Kenya with the confirmation of a case on Saturday evening at a border post, affecting a person in transit from Uganda to Rwanda.
Burundi, meanwhile, has reported its first cases of monkeypox, with three infections discovered in Bujumbura and the Izari region. This situation marks a new stage in the spread of the disease.
EAC Call to Action
In the face of rising cases, the East African Community has called on its members to step up prevention and awareness efforts. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, EAC Deputy Secretary-General, stressed the urgency of implementing rigorous prevention measures and providing comprehensive information on the disease.
Measures and Prevention
Monkeypox, a zoonotic viral disease, can spread from animals to humans. Symptoms include rash, fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Although less severe than smallpox, it can lead to severe complications.
Regional authorities are implementing enhanced border controls and increasing surveillance of suspected cases. Awareness-raising among local populations is also being stepped up to prevent the spread of the virus.
People in the region are urged to practice strict hygiene and report any suspicious symptoms. The international community and public health organizations are also called upon to support regional efforts to contain this ongoing outbreak.
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