Authorities in Uganda confirm yellow fever outbreak

By Goodfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Authorities in Uganda said Friday that a yellow fever has hit the country with an outbreak officially declared in two districts.

The Moyo and Bulisa districts, located northwest and southwest of Kampala, respectively, are affected, according to Minister of Health Jane Aceng,

“Three people have so far died from yellow fever,” Aceng said at a news conference. “In a couple of weeks, government, together with the WHO, will be carrying out a mass vaccination exercise in the two districts to prevent more spread of the disease.”

The victims were reportedly timber and milk dealers in trading centers. The districts administration have embarked on sensitization campaigns.

WHO’s country representative Yonus Tegegn cautioned Ugandans to take precaution to avoid contracting the disease.

“The World Health Organization is working together with the ministry of health to bring the situation under control. WHO is working hard to eradicate yellow fever by 2026 out of the world,” he said.

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms include severe fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.