Panic as strange disease kills two children in Buikwe

Health authorities in Buikwe District are on high alert following the outbreak of a mysterious disease that has claimed the lives of two children. The disease, which exhibits symptoms similar to measles and Mpox, such as high fever and skin problems, has been detected in a cult community.

District Health Officer Dr Richard Bbosa expressed concerns about the community's resistance to vaccination efforts.

"When we reached this village/community, the dead bodies had already been taken away, and the victims were being hidden by their parents and cult leaders," Dr Bbosa said. He emphasised that the community's reluctance to seek medical attention and vaccination has contributed to the spread of the disease.

According to Dr Bbosa, the cult community has a history of resisting vaccination efforts, which has left many of its members vulnerable to preventable illnesses. "In this area, there are so many people who believe in the cult religion and do not believe in seeking medication/going for immunization," Dr Bbosa explained.

The "666 cult" has been spreading anti-vaccination messages, which health officials believe are fueling the current health crisis. Benon Kawuki Sentebe, the area LC1 chairperson, observed that the symptoms exhibited by the deceased children were similar to those of Mpox disease. "I also observed that there were other children, like six, with similar symptoms in the same family, but after alerting the authorities, we found that they had disappeared and locked the doors in their homes," Sentebe said.

However, one of the cult leaders, Shadrach Nyibigira, denied that the disease was a result of not taking the children for immunisation.

"We have been here for a long time, and our children have lived and grown without immunization, so it is not because of not taking vaccines," Nyibigira claimed.

Village Health Teams (VHTs) have launched a door-to-door operation to identify sick children and provide them with medical care. However, many children have been hidden by their families, sparking concerns about their well-being.

"We are deeply concerned about the well-being of these children. The community must understand the importance of medical intervention to save lives," said Sulaiman Katerega, vice chairperson of the area.

Health officials are investigating the cause of the disease, and Dr Bbosa expects to have a diagnosis by Thursday. The situation has left residents surrounding the cult community gripped with fear, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the health risks posed by the cult's practices.

The local government has urged the community to cooperate with health officials and to seek medical attention immediately if they or their children exhibit any symptoms of the disease. The government has also promised to provide medical care and support to those affected by the disease.