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 out through a circular in coming days.
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.
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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.
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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.
