Crimean Congo Fever confirmed, one dead
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the health ministry’s senior spokesperson. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Those infected with the virus present symptoms such as muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light), according to WHO.
KAMPALA: One person has died of Crimean Congo Heamorrhagic Fever (CCHF) at Naguru Hospital in Kampala today, ministry of Health has confirmed.
Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the ministry’s senior spokesperson said the late is a 32-year-old female from Bukerere, in Mukono District.
“The ministry of health has dispatched rapid response teams to trace her contacts. She will be accorded a safe burial by our medical teams to avoid future spread of the disease. The burial will take place in Sembabule District,” Mr Ainebyoona said.
Blood samples were collected on Wednesday and taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe where they tested positive of CCHF.
The CCHF is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted to humans through tick bites. It can also be transmitted through contact with the blood of infected animals. The case fertility ranges between 10-40 per cent and can be treated.
“The general public is advised to use protective gears and gloves when in close contact with infected persons, regular hand washing is recommended and avoid tick-to-human transmission by wearing protective clothes like long sleeved shirts and pair of trousers,” Mr Ainebyoona added.
Uganda last recorded cases of CCHF in May this year when a 35-year-old male from Nkoko sub-county in Bugangaizi County, Kakumiro District died of the disease at Mubende regional referral Hospital.
Other cases had also been recorded earlier in January when four cases and one death were confirmed in Nakaseke District.
Those infected with the virus present symptoms such as muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light), according to WHO.
