By Hope Mafaranga
and John Odyek
EIGHT people are suspected to have died of typhoid in Budibugyo district contrary to reports that there was an outbreak of ebola in the area.
Dr. Issa Makumbi, an epidemiologist at the health ministry, said: “We highly suspect typhoid because the tests done for ebola at the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA and Entebbe were negative.
"We discussed with the district and have developed an action plan. District officials are sensitising people on what to do.”
He added that health centres had also been prepared to manage the cases.
Makumbi said the health ministry was still carrying out investigations on the cause of deaths.
The deaths have created fear among the residents who suspect the cause to be ebola, which hit the area three years ago, killing 38 people and leaving153 infected with the virus.
Residents also suspected marburg fever, which hit Kamwenge district in 2008.
James Ndyesika, the Bundibugyo heath officer, said 17 people were infected, while eight had died in the last four days.
He disclosed that the disease attacked Kasitu sub-county and all the deceased were below 17 years of age.
Ndyesika said the disease presents with high temperature, stomach ache, diarrhoea, vomiting and urinating blood.
The patients were first treated with coartem, a first line treatment for malaria, but they did not respond to the medication.
This, he said, prompted the officials from the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to take more samples to Atlanta for further investigations. |
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