By URN
The Hoima district health department has so far vaccinated 2,686 people against Measles.
The outbreak was confirmed last week in four villages of Runga and Kavava in Kiganja sub-county, and Tonya and Rwentale in Buseruka sub-county, along the shores of Lake Albert with children between the ages of one and five years being the most affected demographic group.
This was after samples taken from affected individuals tested positive for measles at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).
As a result, health officials in the district initiated a mass measles vaccination campaign in response to a confirmed outbreak of the disease in several villages along the shores of Lake Albert.
Nazareth Kabagenyi, the Hoima Acting District Health Officer-DHO told Uganda Radio Network-URN in an interview on Thursday morning that so far 2, 686 people have been vaccinated against the disease. They include children aged between one and fifteen years from the affected sub counties.
According to Kabagenyi, the district is running out of the measles vaccines as the cases surge stating that currently the cumulative figures indicate that 321 cases have been recorded.
Fredrick Byenume, the Hoima district Health Inspector says, they have been compelled to place an emergence order at the National medical stores-NMS for more vaccines to be availed.
Byenume has appealed to residents to avoid overcrowding in areas where the virus has been reported to mitigate the risk of transmission.
Additionally, he has urged local leaders and stakeholders to mobilize parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated, emphasizing the importance of preventing further spread of the disease.
The history of measles outbreaks in Hoima district underscores the seriousness of the situation, with previous outbreaks resulting in fatalities among children under the age of 10.
Measles typically presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, and a characteristic skin rash. Health experts advise that symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
