(Maracha) – The Maracha security committee has increased its vigilance to prevent the further spread of mpox after the district confirmed a case on Saturday. Located between Arua and Koboko in the West Nile region, Maracha is particularly vulnerable due to its porous borders and several cross-border markets, including Odramacaku, Osidribiku, and Malaba. These factors present a serious threat in the event of disease outbreaks.
To address this public health concern, the district security and health teams, led by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), have formed a coordination committee. This committee will oversee surveillance and response efforts aimed at containing the spread of the disease.
Monica Koliba Kotevu, the deputy RDC of Maracha, identified Ovujo as the hotspot for the recent case. She confirmed that Oluvu Health III has been designated to admit, treat, and monitor suspected cases in the district. This development comes in light of the recent reports regarding the mpox outbreak in Uganda, which noted the first recorded death from the disease. As of October 21, 2024, 73 patients had recovered from mpox, according to official updates.
Maracha is the latest district to report an mpox case, marking the first instance in the greater Arua region and the second in the West Nile area, following two cases in Adjumani. In response to the outbreak, Kotevu stated that the authorities are working on establishing sub-county coordination committees. These committees will facilitate prompt responses to suspected cases and lead public awareness campaigns.
“We have identified the hotspot area and set up the coordination committee, which meets daily. For this particular case, we traced the individual to Madi Okollo and are now following up on those he may have interacted with. We are prepared to address this challenge, and we aim to enhance the sensitization of our committee members, especially in areas close to the porous borders,” Kotevu explained.
