KAMPALA– One person has died of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) at Naguru Hospital in Kampala as the disease again resurfaced
According to the ministry of health the deceased has been staying with her family in Bukerere, Mukono district.
Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona the ministry of health senior public relations officer said the 32-year-old female first sought treatment at St Agnes Clinic in Bukerere on August 19 and was referred to Naguru Hospital on August 20.
“Her situation worsened and on August 22 and a blood sample was collected and submitted to Uganda Virus Research Institute before she shortly died in the evening. The results from UVRI were released on August 23 that confirmed Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever,” said Mr Ainebyoona.
He added that the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre supplied a burial bag and that Ministry of Health provided transport to a medical team to conduct a safe burial in her home district of Sembabule.
The Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever [CCHF] is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted to humans through tick bites and it can also be transmitted through contact with the blood of infected animals. The case fertility ranges between 10-40 per cent and can be treated.
“The general public is advised to use protective gears and gloves when in close contact with infected persons, regular hand washing is recommended and avoid tick-to-human transmission by wearing protective clothes like long sleeved shirts and pair of trousers,” Mr Ainebyoona said further.
He revealed that the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre has also deployed a team to do surveillance and contact tracing and that the contacts include her immediate family, medical staff at St. Agnes Clinic, Naguru Hospital, relatives and friends.
In May this year another case of CCHF was recorded when a 35-year-old man from Nkoko sub-county in Bugangaizi County, Kakumiro District died of the disease at Mubende regional referral Hospital.
Other cases had also been recorded earlier in January when four cases and one death were confirmed in Nakaseke District.
Those infected with the virus present symptoms such as muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light), according to WHO.
*Prevention*
Use protective gear and gloves when in contact with an infected person, regular hand washing, wear protective clothes like long sleeved shirts and pair of trousers while dealing with animals.
