Thirty-one contacts of a Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) victim in Arua City have been traced, according to City Health Officer Dr. Pontious Apangu.
While providing a status update during a task force meeting on Friday, Dr. Apangu noted that 28 of the contacts have completed their isolation period, with monitoring continuing for one remaining contact.
The case was first identified on December 16th when a sample was collected from a patient at Oli Health Centre IV who presented with symptoms including fever, headache, and body pain. The patient had initially received treatment for malaria and typhoid at a private clinic in Onduparaka, Arua, but his condition worsened, and he passed away hours after being admitted.
Dr. Luke Nyakarahura, Senior Epidemiologist at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Arua field station, confirmed that the sample tested positive for CCHF.
In response, Ayivu Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner, Jona Mbigitti, emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to effectively manage the situation, citing limited resources as a significant challenge.
The Arua City health department has reported nine alerts related to CCHF, and six specimens have been sent to the national laboratory for further testing.