Africa-Press – Rwanda. One person, among the two cases of mpox confirmed in Rwanda on July 27, was successfully treated and discharged, while the other is still being treated and is in the process of recovery.
Dr Edson Rwagasore, the Division Manager of Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), provided an update on the cases and emphasised the importance of preventive measures.
He said: “One of the patients has been treated successfully, recovered, and discharged and the second patient is still undergoing treatment but is not in critical condition. Our hospitals are well-equipped and prepared to handle mpox cases.”
In a video update shared on RBC’s X handle, on August 7, Rwagasore said that mpox, though viral and contagious, is treatable if medical attention is sought promptly.
He elaborated that mpox spreads through direct contact with an infected person or animal, sexual intercourse, or contaminated materials.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that mpox can affect anyone and spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, contaminated objects, or respiratory droplets. Rwagasore stressed that while condoms are crucial in preventing many sexually transmitted diseases, they do not provide complete protection against mpox due to potential exposure to infectious fluids.
“It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately if you exhibit symptoms of mpox,” he advised.
Symptoms, including rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, can appear between two and 19 days after the infection, Rwagasore noted.
The public is advised to follow preventive guidelines rigorously—avoid physical contact with individuals displaying symptoms, refrain from sexual activities with symptomatic persons, avoid touching their personal belongings, and practice diligent handwashing with soap and clean water.
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