Uganda’s parliament has demanded urgent action from the government to address the rising concerns over Monkeypox, amid fears of an outbreak.
Speaker Anitah Among has instructed the Minister of Health to issue a statement on the disease, providing guidance to the public.
“The threat is real, especially with the festival season approaching and people moving across the country,” Ms. Among said.
Legislators have expressed concerns over the influx of monkeys in districts like Wakiso, which they believe could be linked to the outbreak.
“We cannot ignore the risks posed by these monkeys,” said Bukanga County MP Stephen Rwakanuuma.
Similar concerns were raised by Padyere county MP Isaac Otimgwe and Busiro West MP Medard Sseggona.
Butambala Municipality MP Muwanga Kivumbi described how monkeys are “hovering in neighbourhoods”, sparking fears over transmission.
West Moyo MP Tom Aza Alero reported two suspected cases in the Madi sub-region, highlighting the vulnerability of refugees and residents in West Nile.
Kiboga district woman MP Christine Kaaya said monkeys have become a “menace”, sharing water bodies and wells with humans and devastating crops.
However, State Minister for Tourism Martin Mugarra sought to reassure the public, stating that Monkeypox is an imported disease with no evidence of transmission from local monkeys to humans.
Monkeypox: The Risks
- Transmitted through contact with infected animals, humans, and contaminated materials
- Symptoms include fever, headache, and blister-like rash
- Vulnerable groups include children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems
Global Response
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported globally.
Uganda’s health authorities have heightened surveillance, but no local cases have been confirmed.
The government is under pressure to provide clear guidance and reassurance to the public amid growing concerns over the disease.