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Uganda has isolated six people suspected to have monkeypox, authorities have confirmed.

Among the six are two Congolese refugees aged 2 and 12.

Read: Monkeypox explainer: how do you catch it and what are the risks?

Samples from the six have been flown to South Africa for testing as Uganda currently lacks the capacity to test for monkeypox. Uganda has no reagents for testing for monkeypox and attempts to secure them from the neighbouring DR Congo were unsuccessful, authorities confirmed.

Read: Kenya takes to Senegal suspected monkeypox samples for testing

Also read: Tanzania issues precautionary notice over monkeypox as cases rise in Europe

Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) said it began preliminary investigations after receiving information that the six presented symptoms similar to those caused by monkeypox.

Also read: Nigeria confirms 21 monkeypox cases

Two of the suspected cases have been isolated in the south-western Kisoro District, which borders the DR Congo and Rwanda, while four have been taken into isolation in Kampala City.

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