The Kisoro District Health Educator, Valentino Mubanjizi, has urged local media practitioners to educate the community about the causes, signs, and symptoms of Mpox disease as a crucial step in combating the outbreak.
This message was conveyed during a press briefing held at the Kisoro District headquarters, organized by the USAID Social Behavioral Change Activity.
Valentino emphasized the importance of media in disseminating accurate and timely information about Mpox and other outbreaks, such as rabies, which has claimed a life in the Kigezi region at the Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
He highlighted the necessity of training media professionals to ensure they provide clear and up-to-date information to the public.
“Media is a pillar of communication because of its reach. We must ensure the information shared with communities is accurate and meets the required standards. This includes consistent messaging about signs and symptoms and prompt updates from both the health center and the district,” Valentino stated.
He urged journalists to inform the people of Kisoro to avoid close contact with individuals confirmed to have monkeypox, as well as to steer clear of all wild animals, whether alive or dead, particularly those known to carry the virus, such as rodents and monkeys, especially if they appear sick or have been found dead.
On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As of September 18, 2024, Uganda has reported 22 cases of Mpox.
Symptoms of Mpox include skin rash, fever, sore throat, headache, body aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease spreads through close contact with skin lesions, body fluids, or inhalation of contaminated particles.
Meanwhile, Mubanjizi commended Kisoro media practitioners for raising awareness about the outbreak of anthrax, which has claimed 3 lives in the neighboring Kanungu district.
