Uganda confirms Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever case

Uganda

NAN

Uganda’s ministry of health on Wednesday confirmed a case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in the western district of Kabarole.

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, senior public relation officer for the ministry of health, told Xinhua by telephone that laboratory results from samples taken from a female patient under isolation at Fort Portal regional referral hospital tested positive of the fever.

“There is a confirmed case of CCHF in Kabarole, but there are measures put in place to ensure that the disease doesn’t spread,” Ainebyoona said.

READ ALSO: Trump says he plans to end birthright citizenship

He said a national rapid response team from the ministry of health and that of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries has been dispatched to Kabarole to handle and contain the outbreak.

The CCHF is a tick-borne illness transmitted to humans through tick bites. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions and the organs of infected people.

According to the World Health Organisation, a CCHF outbreak constitutes a threat to public health.

The global health body says the fever, endemic in Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East, is associated with a high case fatality ratio of 10-40 percent.

Breaking news & top stories

Stay connected with The Sun Newspaper

Get breaking news, exclusive stories, and live updates delivered straight to your phone. Join thousands of readers already following us on Whatsapp Channel and Telegram.

Breaking news & top stories

Follow The Sun Newspaper

Get live updates & exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone.

Breaking news & top stories

Stay connected with The Sun Newspaper

Get breaking news, exclusive stories, and live updates delivered straight to your phone. Join thousands of readers already following us on Whatsapp Channel and Telegram.