South Sudan declares mpox outbreak after case confirmed in Juba
February 7, 2025 (JUBA) – The health ministry of South Sudan declared an Mpox outbreak on Friday after confirming a case in the capital.
Acting Health Minister James Hoth Mai told a press conference that the confirmed case, a Ugandan national residing in Kupuri Camp in Juba, was reported at Gudele Hospital on February 6 and confirmed by the National Public Health Laboratory. The patient is isolated and receiving treatment, he said.
Mai added that a team of experts from national and subnational levels, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners has been deployed to investigate the outbreak, trace contacts, and ensure follow-up.
“The Ministry of Health and WHO have taken steps to manage the reported case properly, ensuring that every contact on the ground is followed,” Mai said, urging citizens not to panic but to remain calm and follow safety measures.
WHO Country Representative in South Sudan, Dr Humphrey Karamagi, commended the ministry for declaring the outbreak, saying it allows for preventative measures, facilitates partner support, and unlocks resources. He noted that South Sudan becomes the 22nd affected country in Africa.
Karamagi said WHO would support the referral of the positive sample to WHO-collaborating laboratories for sequencing and genetic characterization. He reiterated WHO’s commitment to assisting South Sudan in enhancing surveillance, improving response coordination, and ensuring the availability of supplies, including case management, laboratory testing, and sample collection.
The ministry, with WHO support, has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Center and is coordinating responses, following WHO guidelines. An Incident Manager and key officials have been assigned to monitor five main entry points into South Sudan for suspected pox cases from neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Kenya.
Healthcare providers, including those in private practice, are receiving training on recognizing and responding to mpox symptoms. A laboratory network is being developed, and recent tests of 141 suspected cases showed a 100% success rate, the ministry said. Forty clinicians have also received training in mpox case management.
Mai urged communities to practice safe behaviours, including avoiding close contact with infected individuals, using personal protective equipment when caring for patients, not sharing bedding or clothing, practising hand hygiene, isolating infected patients, and avoiding contact with wild animals. He also emphasized that all food containing fresh animal meat should be thoroughly cooked.
Mpox is a viral infection that presents with flu-like symptoms and characteristic pus-filled lesions. Although generally a mild illness, severe cases and fatalities are possible. The virus spreads through close contact, including sexual contact and the clade Ib variant seems to be more transmissible than other forms of the virus.