The Ministry of Health is not planning to send teams from
Kampala to manage the reported outbreak of Crimean Congo fever in Kagadi
district.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne
virus, transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with
infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. The
disease, which is endemic in Africa, has the case fatality rate of 10–40 per
cent.
The disease is characterized by sudden onset of fever, bruising or rash,
dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and
sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sore
throat, followed by sharp mood swings and confusion.
One person has so far tested positive to the disease in Kagadi district. The
victim, identified as Fred Tumwesigye, 23, a resident of Kisura Village in
Bwikara Sub County had been admitted to Kagadi General Hospital since Monday
after complaining of fever, headache, abdominal pain and general body weakness.
But Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng says that despite the confirmation, there
is no cause for panic because the disease is endemic in Uganda and will always
occur along the cattle corridor.
Aceng said that they already trained district health officials along the cattle
corridor to effectively handle Crimean Congo and Rift Valley Fever.
According to the Uganda Red Cross Society, four suspected cases of the fever
had also been isolated at an isolation centre at Kagadi hospital after they
developed symptoms pointing the disease.
The public has been urged to be vigilant and check themselves for ticks and
remove them immediately after working with animals, avoid getting in contact with
body fluids of an infected person and conducting basic hygiene of washing hands
with clean water and soap before getting in contact and shaking hands with
people in public places.
Uganda last registered an outbreak of the fever in April last year.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
