An outbreak of Rift Valley Fever has been confirmed in Ntungamo district.
Three people have already died from the sickness in the Rubaare, Nyarutuntu, and Itojo areas, according to Moses Asiimwe, the district surveillance focal person. Handlers of animals and those between the ages of 13 and 45 account for the bulk of incidents.
According to Asiimwe, patients are displaying typical symptoms including fever, muscle soreness, and bleeding, even though the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe has laboratory-confirmed six more cases.
Acting District Health Officer Beatrice Chemisto reports that among the steps taken to curb the disease’s spread include vector control, contact tracing, and public awareness programmes, with a focus on handling deceased animals.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), report released in early June, the disease is now prevalent in Ntungamo, Mbarara, and Sheema Districts, all in western Uganda.
Rift Valley Fever is a mosquito-borne virus that is endemic. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle, and goats and it can have an economic impact on a community due to the loss of livestock.
Humans get infected through contact with infected animal blood or organs. Butchering and slaughtering of animals is a primary cause of transmission to humans.