Health authorities in Western Equatoria state warned on Thursday of a rising Mpox outbreak and shortages of medical supplies, saying limited isolation facilities and cross-border health risks were hampering containment efforts.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact with infected people, animals or contaminated materials, and commonly causes fever, body aches and skin rashes.
State Health Minister James Abdallah Arona told reporters in Yambio that Western Equatoria had recorded 157 suspected Mpox cases since the outbreak began in February.
“Mpox started in February in Ezo and later moved to Yambio,” Arona said. “For a long period, the number of confirmed cases remained at 24. However, today the number of positive Mpox cases confirmed through testing in Yambio County has risen to 35.”
He said Yambio County remained the hardest-hit area, followed by Nzara and Tambura counties.
According to Arona, Nzara County has recorded two confirmed cases, up from one previously, while Tambura County has reported five cases. Other counties remain under surveillance.
Arona said shortages of infection prevention and control materials were weakening the response effort.
“Our plan with our partners remains the same, but we urgently need tools and equipment such as face masks, sanitizers, gumboots, and protective kits to strengthen our response,” he said.
He said isolating suspected cases was critical to preventing further community transmission.
Arona also expressed concern about the risk posed by an Ebola outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, warning that Western Equatoria was vulnerable because of frequent cross-border movement.
“The Ebola outbreak in Congo and its movement into Uganda is a deadly disease. If it reaches Western Equatoria State, it could disrupt our health system,” he said.
He said informal trade routes between South Sudan and Congo increased the risk of disease spread and urged authorities to strengthen border monitoring in coordination with security forces.
“We recommended that state authorities work closely with security organs to consider temporary restrictions on border movements instead of allowing unrestricted crossings,” he said.
Arona said no Ebola cases had been confirmed in Western Equatoria.
Patrick Kumbo, matron at Tambura Hospital, said Mpox remained the main health concern in the area, while Ebola had not been detected.
“We previously had an isolation room, but currently there is no dedicated isolation facility,” Kumbo said.
He said the hospital had strengthened infection prevention measures, including handwashing stations, sanitizers and temperature screening at entry points.
At Ezo County Hospital, Medical Director Musa Samuel said the facility faced severe resource constraints.
“We currently have only one isolation tent with five beds, which is not enough to handle the increasing number of patients,” Samuel said.
He said shortages of infection prevention materials and a lack of ambulances were forcing some patients into home isolation.
Despite the challenges, Samuel said most patients had recovered and no Mpox-related deaths had been recorded in Ezo County.
The state health ministry said its Risk Communication and Community Engagement team was undergoing training in Juba to strengthen public awareness campaigns.
Arona appealed to the national government and international partners, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, for urgent support.
“I appeal to the President, the National Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UN agencies, and all partners to support us with necessary equipment and resources,” he said.
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