Test tubes labelled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative" are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. |Courtesy of Reuters.

The National Ministry of Health is in a state of alert a mid reports of Mpox virus outbreak in neighboring Uganda and Kenya.

Last week,  Uganda health ministry confirmed two people tested positive for the virus in Kasese District near the border with the DR Congo.

The cases in Uganda came days after Kenya confirmed its first mpox virus at Taita Taveta boarder point with Tanzania from a person who traveled from Uganda to Rwanda through the country.

Undersecretary in the National Ministry of Health Dr. Harriet Pasqulae said the health ministry has  strengthened its surveillance system to ensure all pillars of emergency response are activated to combat the disease.

“For us in South Sudan, we are in a state of alert. We have activated our surveillance system for the disease and make sure that all the pillars for emergency response are activated just for us to be in a preparedness stage.

South Sudan has not yet reported any case, but  the health official said ministry will soon issue an official circular to the public about the virus.

“South Sudan have not yet reported any case but off course for us we are soon going to issue a press statement to alert the public of the signs and symptoms, and to make them aware of this condition and what they should immediately report,” she added.

According to the world health organization, Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.

Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.