Two children have died as a result of suspected measles in Oraba Town Council, Koboko District.
Koboko District Secretary for Health and Education Isaac Todoko explains that the children, both below five years died after developing skin rash, cough, fever, sore throat and white spots inside the mouth.
According to information obtained from the district health office, at least 10 similar cases are currently being managed at Oraba Health Centre III in Oraba Town Council and Koboko Mission Health Centre III in Koboko Municipality. Out of the 10 cases, eight are at Oraba Health Centre III.
Koboko district Health Officer Dr Denis Oloya says that they suspect the disease originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from where nationals whose children exhibited measles-like symptoms crossed into Uganda to attend the burial of a relative in Oraba Town council early this month.
Oloya says they have already taken five samples to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe for investigations. According to Oloya, they set to embark on a mop-up vaccination campaign in sub-counties whose immunization coverage is below the recommended 95-percent threshold to contain the possible spread of the disease.
However, Mambo Ashraf, the Koboko district Chairperson, appealed to the residents to be vigilant and ensure their children are immunized.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by the measles virus. It affects mainly children aged between six months and 10 years of age although it can also affect adults. Persons suffering from measles present with cough, fever, red eyes, muscle aches, running nose, sore throat and white spots inside the mouth.
The latest suspected measles outbreak comes just a month after Fresh Measles Cases were Detected in Arua City in the West Nile subregion.
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