Kasese District confirmed a case of yellow fever reported on December 17, 2024, in Bukonzo County East, according to Arafat Bwambale, the District Surveillance Focal Person.
Bwambale urged the public to adopt protective measures, including sleeping under treated mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and ensuring bedrooms are closed early in the evening to prevent mosquito bites. He also encouraged residents to seek vaccination at health facilities within their communities.
Last year, the district conducted a yellow fever mass vaccination campaign, targeting 95% of the eligible population aged 9 months to 60 years. This effort followed reports that Kasese is considered a high-risk area due to its proximity to national parks.
Uganda launched a nationwide yellow fever vaccination campaign in mid-May 2023. Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that the campaign would be conducted in three phases, concluding in 2025. She noted that preparations, including vaccine procurement, awareness campaigns, and vaccination unit setup, were completed despite delays caused by the COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks.
The first phase targeted 51 districts in the Lango, Acholi, Rwenzori, Ankole, West Nile, and Bunyoro sub-regions. Dr. Atwine emphasized that yellow fever, though a deadly disease, is preventable and is among the 14 diseases listed as “killers” by the Ministry of Health. She highlighted that a single vaccination provides lifetime immunity, negating the need for booster doses.
Speaking during the media orientation on the yellow fever preventive mass vaccination campaign held at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Dr. Atwine revealed that 1.4 million vaccine doses had been secured, with a budget of 28 billion Shillings allocated for the exercise. The vaccines were provided free of charge, with the first phase conducted door-to-door from June 9th to June 13th, 2023.
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, yellowing of the eyes, and bleeding from body openings such as the mouth, nose, and eyes.