By William Madouk
The United States of America through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has supplied South Sudan with Mpox test kits to aid Mpox surveillance in South Sudan.
This comes in response to a rising number of confirmed Mpox cases across East African Community countries, requiring the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures against emerging health threats.
“This week USAID provided support for the World Health Organization to procure two kits (96 tests each) of advanced polymerase chain reaction tests to aid Mpox detection,” a statement seen by this outlet read in part.
This is in addition to the previous provision on September 1, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of one kit with 96 tests, it added.
According to U.S., these kits are meant to equip the South Sudan National Public Health Laboratory with essential tools to rapidly test and enhance detection of the virus.
USAID Acting Mission Director Yohannes Araya emphasized, “the U.S. is committed to global health security and improving the health of the people of South Sudan. We are pleased to deliver these important testing supplies to halt the spread of Mpox in the region.”
The USAID acting mission director calls on the government of national unity to avail funds to support the health sector.
“As we continue to provide this assistance, we call upon the transitional government to increase its use of public revenue to support the health sector,” Araya added.
To date, these kits have enabled South Sudan to perform 74 tests, of which all have been negative.
The World Health Organization declared that the disease surge constitutes a public health emergency.
Mpox is a self-limiting viral disease which presents with pustules or small boils on the skin. It is also associated with high-grade fever, swelling of lymph nodes, headache and general body weakness.
In 2023, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), delivered a first tranche of $5 million for infectious disease surveillance and response as part of a comprehensive strategy to build Global Health Security.
In 2024, the U.S. contribution to outbreak prevention, detection and response increased to $7 million.