Attachments
Reporting Period 1 October to 31 October 2024
HIGHLIGHTS
- As of 31 October 2024, 34 districts had confirmed 325 cases (44 % women and girls), with 1 registered death (1 woman). Out of all cases, 84 (20%) were children under 18 years. Of all the cases, 31.7 per cent are from known contacts, and according to the statistics, slightly more males than females are affected.
- Eleven schools in four districts have registered cases.
- As of 31 October 2024, 81 cases were still under treatment, while 189 cases had recovered with only 1 single death reported. A total of 54 cases were yet to be moved to the treatment units across the country.
- A total of 1,763 contacts have been registered since the start of the outbreak.
- There has been a sharp increase in number of cases in October 2024 with 282 cases. This is due to clusters of community transmission reported in some districts, including the Kampala Metropolitan Area, which has become the epicenter of the mpox outbreak.
- UNICEF is leading the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) pillar in support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and has developed and disseminated 109,249 mpox leaflets for local leaders and influencers. A total of 56,320 general posters distributed at key service points like health units, schools, public offices, and trading centers, and 153,100 child-friendly posters for distribution in schools. Overall, 5,381 schools have been reached with these materials.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
1,763
Total suspected cases
325
Total confirmed cases
84
Children under 18 among confirmed cases
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF MPOX IN UGANDA
Cumulatively, 325 mpox cases had been reported by 31 October 2024 and out of which 282 were reported in the month of October alone. The sharp increase in the number of cases in October was due to clusters of community transmission reported in several districts including Kampala, Nakasongola, Wakiso and Mayuge. Cases have been reported in 34 districts, with 1 death, a woman living with HIV/AIDS who was not on antiretroviral treatment (ART).
With 126 cases, Kampala is confirmed as the most affected districts, particularly Kawempe Division, followed by Wakiso (49 cases) and Nakasangola (43 cases). As of 31 October 2024, out of the 325 reported cases, 81 cases were still under treatment, 189 cases had recovered, 1 death reported and 54 cases yet to be moved to the treatment units across the country. In addition, out of the 325 cases, 84 (20%) were children under 18 years of age, including 30 children below 5 years of age (35.7%), 24 (28.6%) aged 5-10 years and 30 (35.7%) aged 10-18 years.
A total of 11 schools in four districts have registered cases. The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) continues to collaborate with MoH to ensure the tracing of all contacts of the children affected. As of 31 October 2024, MoH had not identified any cluster of infections among learners in affected schools.
High-risk groups include sex workers, "boda-boda" (motorcycle taxi) riders, market vendors, and timber dealers, who are often in close contact, increasing their risk of transmission through direct contact and sexual activity. Individuals with multiple sexual partners, especially sex workers, are at greater risk due to heightened exposure and possibly compromised immunity related to HIV/AIDS.
The MoH, in coordination with partners, including UNICEF, have agreed to revise the mpox national response plan due to the evolving mpox situation, with 34 districts already affected compared to 23 focus districts on which the plan was based. The revision will be consultative with all partners including UNICEF, and once the plan is revised, UNICEF will also conduct a revision of its own plan.