The Ministry of Health has confirmed the outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Kagadi district following the death of one Justus Mugisa 34, a herdsman and a resident of Kihuura LCI in Mabaale sub-county in Kagadi district.
It is reported that Mugisa died from St Ambrose Charity Health Center IV in Kagadi town on Monday this week where he had been admitted after he developed severe fever, muscle pain, and headache.
According to Paul Bahizi the Kagadi District Assistant Health officer, health officials in the district became suspicious after the death, and were compelled to collect samples from him, sent them to Uganda Virus Research Institute Entebbe for analysis which tested positive for rift Valley Fever.
A representative from World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Fred Ssewankambo, has asked the district authority to swiftly launch sensitization campaigns, especially in Mabaale before the disease spreads.
The Kagadi Resident District Commissioner Lillian Ruteraho says they have dispatched a team of health experts to trace for the victim’s contacts so that samples are taken from them for analysis.
The RDC asked residents to be vigilant and cooperate with health officials in order to help contain the outbreak of the disease from spreading to other areas.
She adds that the National Rapid Response team from the Ministry of Health has been alerted and soon they will be sent in the district to back up medical officials in the district to handle the outbreak.
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals but also has the capacity to infect humans.
Infection can cause severe diseases in both animals and humans.
