The outbreak of mpox in Rwanda comes barely two weeks after 25 cases of the viral infection were confirmed in Goma town, the Eastern Province Capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Government of Rwanda has since assured the general population that it is well-prepared to handle the outbreak. But what exactly is mpox?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the viral illness is caused by a virus known as the monkey pox virus.
This virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958 during a research study involving monkeys. The first known human case was of a young child who was diagnosed in 1970 in the DRC.
The infection is transmitted to humans through physical contact with contaminated materials, or with infected animals or other human beings.
Medics say that the mpox virus enters the body through inhalation of respiratory droplets, pores of the skin, and mucous membranes mainly found in the mouth, throat, eyes, genitals, or the rectum.
It also spreads easily within households through sexual intercourse amongst couples, with individuals having multiple partners being at increased risk.
Common symptoms include a rash or sores that can last several weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Preventive measures include avoiding close contact with individuals who have the virus. Vaccination is also effective in protecting those at high risk.
At the national level, the Ministry of Health says it will rely on advanced response systems and protocols to detect and contain the spread of the infection.
'Rwanda is well-prepared to handle a potential mpox outbreak, leveraging our experience and systems developed during previous health challenges like COVID-19,' Dr Edson Rwagasore, the Division Manager of Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness and Response at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), told local media.
'We can now quickly test and confirm infections using advanced methods, including genomic sequencing, which is crucial for effective outbreak management,' he said.
Rwagasore says it is important to remain vigilant despite the measures instilling confidence in the country's ability to manage potential health challenges, including mpox.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/health/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-mpox
