Publication date: Tuesday, 2nd June, 2009
By Hope Mafaranga
A polio case has been confirmed in Busaru sub-county in Bundibugyo district. The district medical officer, Dr William Sikyewunda, said the victim was a 28-month-old child. He said the samples of the child’s blood were taken to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe and the results were found to be positive.
Sikyewunda on Friday said a polio eradication team from the Ministry of Health, headed by Dr. David Ndunguse, was in the district to carry out more studies. He said the team would scrutinise the situation in order to avoid more infections.
Sikyewunda said the district would also carry out clinical assessment of children who will be taken to health centres in sub-counties neighbouring the DR Congo.
According to Sikyewunda, a second case was suspected at Nyahuka village in Busaru sub-county. He said a blood sample was taken to the research institute, but the results are not yet out.
“If the second sample also turns out to be positive, then we have reason to worry,” he said. Sikyewunda said the district would vaccinate all children against polio.
He added that the exercise would run from June 6 to 8, adding that all children under the age of five would be vaccinated. In April, six Polio cases were confirmed in Amuru district.
This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/18/683366
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