At least 3,000 residents of Busia are expected to be vaccinated against Mpox virus, Busia Sub County Health Promotion Officer, Kennedy Oloo has said.
Speaking to the press after a stakeholder sensitization forum at Busia County Commissioner’s conference Hall on Monday, Oloo said the 10-day exercise that begins on Wednesday the 3rd targets truck drivers, sex workers and community members who interact with them.
“The exercise will take place for 10 days and we will be having healthcare workers at strategic points to ensure that the population at large is served,” he said.
He added that Busia has reported 68 cases of Mpox with two deaths adding that 1500 residents in Busia Sub County and another 1500 in Teso North Sub County.
“We have engaged representatives from truck drivers, sex workers, religious leaders, boda boda riders and community leaders,” he said.
The official urged the stakeholders to ensure that the targeted population is sensitized on the need to be vaccinated.
Busia Sub County HIV Coordinator Joan Anyanga urged the local residents to embrace hand washing, use of hand sanitizers and personal Protective equipment to control the spread of the disease.
Anyanga stated that Busia is vulnerable to the disease due to the long distance truck drivers that pass and interact with the locals on transit from other countries like Congo.
“These people transact business activities and also spend nights in the local hotels hence increasing the rates of infection,” she said.
She at the same time said that surveillance and routine screening are ongoing at the points of entry.
“About two or three weeks ago, Uganda also embarked on Mpox vaccination exercise, so we are working as a team to prevent the spread of Mpox,” she said.
Eunice Adhiambo, a human rights activist urged the targeted population to come out in large numbers and be vaccinated.
Adhiambo further urged the health officers to ensure that all the hoteliers meet the recommended hygiene standards in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
Kevin Odulo, a local resident urged the government to increase the number of vaccine dosage to ensure that more people are protected.
The exercise is supported by UNICEF through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the County Government of Busia.
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that spreads from human to human and it is characterized by rashes with blisters often on face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth and genitals, swollen lymph nodes, headache and muscle aches.
The disease can spread through close contact with an infected person such as skin-to-skin touching or cuts, sexual activity, mouth-to-mouth contact, or breathing in infectious respiratory particles. From the initial infection sites, the virus replicates and spreads to the lymph nodes.
By Salome Alwanda
