By Deng Ghai Deng
The South Sudan Ministry of Health has officially declared an outbreak of MPOX, with the first confirmed case reported in the capital, Juba. The announcement was made by James Hoth Mai, the Acting National Health Minister, on Friday, February 6, 2025.
The confirmed case, identified in a 31-year-old Ugandan national residing in Kapuri Camp, Juba, follows a recent trip to Uganda, where an ongoing MPox outbreak is reported. The Ministry of Health confirmed the case after laboratory testing, using a real-time PCR method on a skin sample.
“We are doing everything possible to contain this outbreak,” said James Hoth Mai. “The patient has been isolated and is currently receiving treatment at Gudele Hospital.”
In response to the outbreak, a team of experts from the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other stakeholders have been mobilized to investigate the situation, trace contacts, and ensure proper follow-up.
“We have activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response to this emergency,” said Mai, highlighting that the existing incident management systems, already addressing other public health issues such as cholera, will assist in managing the MPOX outbreak.
Dr. Humphrey Karamoji, WHO Country Director for South Sudan, emphasized the international collaboration in containing the virus. “With this outbreak, South Sudan becomes the 22nd country affected within the African region,” said Karamoji. “We will work closely with the Ministry of Health to sequence and genetically analyze the case to determine its origins.”
In the meantime, Dr. Kediende Chong, Director General for Preventive Health Services, confirmed that health officials have been deployed at critical entry points, including Juba International Airport and border crossings like Nimule. “We are actively screening travelers and have the necessary equipment and supplies in place to test any suspected cases,” Dr. Chong said.
Dr. Chong also called on health workers nationwide to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases promptly. “It’s essential that all private clinics and healthcare providers follow standard operating procedures and alert local health authorities to ensure timely investigation and management,” he urged.
MPox, a viral zoonotic disease primarily transmitted from animals to humans, causes symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with skin lesions or infected bodily fluids.