Health Ministry Admits to Outbreak of Crimean-Congo Fever in Nakaseke, Luweero

Government has come out to admit that there have indeed been sporadic cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in some districts along the cattle corridor.

This was revealed by the Health Minister, Dr Ruth Aceng during a press conference on Tuesday.

“Government would like to inform the general public that there have been sporadic cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in some districts along the cattle corridor,” Minister Aceng said.

She went on to announce that government through the Ministry of Health has dispatched teams of health experts in the affected districts of Luweero and Nakaseke to help authorities to contain the impact.

“We sent out a Rapid Response Team of expert epidemiologists, clinicians, veterinarians, communicators and laboratory specialists to Nakaseke and Luwero to support the district to set up appropriate response structures,” the Minister said.

The teams comprise of specialists from both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Also, as part of interventions to eliminate the epidemic, government has embarked on spraying of ticks and biting insects in selected districts within the cattle corridor, including; Nakaseke, Sembabule, Kyegegwa, Lyantonde, Mubende, and Gomba.

Other districts are being assessed. In addition, sensitization of the public on the epidemic is ongoing.

Tuesday’s announcement retracts earlier statements by the Ministry of Health dismissing reports of the outbreak of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Nakaseke.

However, district authorities and the Uganda Medical Association insisted that the outbreak was prevailing and criticized government for downplaying it.

Since August, 2017 when suspected cases were reported, 4 cases of the CCHF have been confirmed and 5 cases of the RVF, the latest cases being reported on the 19th of January 2018 in Nakaseke and Buikwe, respectively.

One person has so far died of CCHF from Nakaseke district and 3 cases of the RVF from Kiboga, Buikwe and Mityana districts.

The Ministry of Heath has cautioned the public to consume cooked meat and boiled milk as well as for handlers of these products to use personal protective gear.