2010-02-17 04:28:46 - Epidemic Hazard - Uganda EDIS CODE: EH-20100217-24968-UGA
Date & Time: 2010-02-17 04:28:46 [UTC]
Area: Uganda, Maracha and Terego district, Olufe, Oluvu, Kijomoro, Oleba, Odupi, Nyadri and Yivu in Maracha sub-counties, Number of death person(s): 7
Damage level: Moderate (Level 2)
Not confirmed information! Description: Seven people in West Nile have been killed by meningitis in the last two weeks, health officers have said. Maracha-Terego district registered the highest number of deaths and admissions. "We have registered three deaths and 49 admissions so far," Ronald Ocaatre, the Maracha-Terego district health officer, told The New Vision on Monday morning. "Meningitis is a contagious but manageable disease. However, when treatment is delayed it kills very fast," he explained. Ocaatre said the disease "is becoming sporadic with cases reported in other sub-counties." He added that the hard hit sub-counties were Olufe, Oluvu, Kijomoro, Oleba, Odupi, Nyadri and Yivu in Maracha county. Arua district reported three deaths and seven admissions. In Moyo district, one person died and two cases were reported. Ocaatre said the Catholic Church-owned Maracha Hospital was gazetted to treat those affected in Arua and Maracha-Terego districts for free. "We are using the available resources before the outbreak reaches an epidemic level. We shall soon get assistance from the Ministry of Health," he reported. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), a medical NGO, provided laboratory services and drugs in Arua Hospital where, Ocaatre said, tests are being carried out. Meningitis is a contagious disease spread by contact with body fluids of an infected or dead person. It leads to the inflammation of a membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Ocaatre said the common symptoms of the disease are high fever, severe headache, stiff neck and sensitivity to bright light It can be prevented by maintaining personal hygiene, avoiding public gatherings and the immediate burial of the dead.
The name of Hazard: Meningitis
Species: Human
Status: Confirmed
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