The number of mpox cases in Uganda has risen to 10 and all patients are infected with a strain of the virus, clade 1b, which is more contagious between humans, a health official announced today.

The country borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the current outbreak began in January 2023, making Uganda a particular focus for health officials.

The first two cases in Uganda were confirmed in July.

Henry Kobe, who is leading the government’s effort to tackle mpox, told Reuters that the country has so far had ten cases, with four of those patients remaining in isolation and six already treated and discharged.

“We are happy that so far we have not recorded any death and we are confident that we will fight the outbreak,” said Kobe, adding that authorities have conducted more than 200 tests on people with suspected symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency in mid-August after the new variant was identified.

mpox causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions and is spread through close physical contact. While usually mild, if left untreated the disease can prove fatal.