The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Education has issued a nationwide alert to schools in response to the confirmed Mpox cases in Uganda. In light of this health crisis, schools are being urged to prioritize the safety of both students and staff.
Ismael Mulindwa, the Director in charge of Basic Education at the Ministry, emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences with COVID-19 and Ebola. He called on schools, particularly those in areas with confirmed or suspected cases, to remain vigilant.
The Mpox outbreak was officially declared on July 24, 2024, following the identification of two cases in Kasese District, as confirmed by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). Since then, a total of 11 confirmed cases have been reported, with no fatalities recorded.
Recently, a suspected case involving a 43-year-old woman was reported in Nakasongola District. Mulindwa noted that the Ministry of Education is collaborating closely with Ministry of Health officials to develop specific guidelines for schools which will be issued through a circular in the coming days.
In the interim, the director advised schools to implement precautions similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include maintaining social distance, sanitizing surfaces, and ensuring regular handwashing among others. Mpox, characterized by symptoms such as fever, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes, spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials.
The Ministry of Education’s alert comes as students return to their respective schools during the first week of the new term, with national examinations on the horizon. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, which took Uganda and the world by surprise, forced the education system to a halt, closing classrooms for 18 months.
Following that crisis, Uganda faced an Ebola outbreak in several regions; however, schools remained open this time, with guidance to implement precautions and adhere to standard operating procedures until the situation was brought under control.
*****
URN
