People have been cautioned against crossing into the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following the confirmation of the Measles outbreak in Kanungu district.
Birungi Mutahunga, the District Health Officer, says that the disease has been confirmed in the sub-county of Kihembe. According to Mutahunga, samples collected from a child who died on Wednesday and sent to Uganda Virus Research Institute Entebbe for analysis have returned positive.
Mutahunga also says that other 10 suspected cases with patients showing measles-related symptoms have been registered in the sub-county.
Longino Mujurizi, the Kanungu District Health Educator says that the district task force has been revived to sensitize the public to report any more suspected cases for management. He also says that health workers across the district have been instructed to screen patients whenever they turn up at various health facilities.Ambrose Mwesigye Blackman, Kanungu Resident District Commissioner says that the disease is highly suspected to have spread to the Ugandan side of Kanungu from neighboring Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since locals there rarely carry out immunization.
Mwesigye says that the task force has already started sensitizing residents to stop crossing into DRC. He also asks locals to take their children for immunization.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.
