KAMPALA – Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has confirmed the outbreak of Yellow Fever in Moyo District – West Nile region and Buliisa District – Hoima region.
The Minister made the announcement while addressing a joint news conference with the World Health Organisations (WHO), on officials Friday, January 24 at the Ministry’s offices in Kampala.
According to Ms. Aceng, the two people who died in Moyo were timber traders suspected to have contracted the disease in South Sudan where they were operating.
“In Moyo District, there are 2 confirmed cases; both are males who were dealing in cutting and trading timber between Uganda and South Sudan. On 2 January 2020, the two cases travelled from South Sudan to Moyo,” she said.
“Upon arrival, they got ill and on 3 January 2020, and were admitted at Logobo Health Center III in Moyo District. They were later referred to Moyo General Hospital,” Aceng further narrated.
She said the one who died in Buliisa was a DR Congo-based milk dealer believed to have contracted it from there.
“In Buliisa, there are also two confirmed cases. A 37-year old male and his 38-year old wife. The husband was a cattle farmer trading in milk between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” Aceng revealed.
She, however, confirmed to the press that one case has been successfully contained.
Ms. Acheng said a team has already been dispatched to the two districts to carry out the vaccination of the residents.
“Ministry of Health working with partners have dispatched Rapid Response Teams to Moyo and Buliisa Districts to support: investigations, active search for cases, community mobilization and sensitization,” she noted.
She added that the ministry has requested for the Yellow Fever vaccines from the International Coordination Group that manages Global Stockpiles of Yellow Fever and Meningitis vaccines.
“We anticipate that within the next two weeks, vaccines will be available and vaccination will commence in Moyo and Buliisa districts,” said Aceng.
Meanwhile, the WHO country director, Tedros Adhanom said they are supporting the country’s efforts to prevent further spread of Yellow Fever, urging those traveling to ensure they are vaccinated.
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. it’s transmitted when an infected mosquito bites you. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they bite an infected human or monkey. The disease cannot be spread from one person to another.
