Measles confirmed in 14 districts
Dec 05, 2011
The Ministry of Health is to reopen the measles units in all hospitals across the country following an outbreak of the disease in 14 districts.
By Prossy Nandudu
The Ministry of Health is to reopen the measles units in all hospitals across the country following an outbreak of the disease in 14 districts.
The disease has been confirmed in Mbale, Kabarole, Luwero, Nakasongola, Bududa, Bukedea, Bushenyi, Namayingo, Moyo, Kaliro, Kampala, Namutumba,Ntungamo and Rakai.
This was contained in a statement signed by the director general of health services, Dr. Jean Ruth Acheng.
Measles is a preventable air-borne disease and affects children of between six months and 10 years and adults who were not immunised against the disease.
It presents itself through high fever, skin rash, running nose, cough and red eyes. It is also associated with pneumonia and diarrhoea.
In a statement, Acheng urged the public to remain calm as measures are taken to control the outbreak.
The disease, that can cause death, is spread through air and contact with an infected person and has no known cure.
Vaccinating children from the age of nine months up to five years and taking affected children to the nearest health centre to be treated by a qualified health personnel can avert the spread of the disease.
The ministry has also embarked on sensitising the public about the disease and vaccinating children under nine months to 10 years of age in all health facilities.
The ministry further advised the public to take children for immunisation, avoid direct contact with infected persons and report suspected cases of measles.
Measles factfile
Measles is a very infectious illness caused by a virus — the rubeola virus. It is continually present in communities but many people develop resistance.
Signs and symptoms usually appear about 9-11 days after infection. They include a running nose, dry hacking cough, swollen eyelids and inflamed eyes.
Others are watery eyes, sneezing, fever, skin rash for three to four days after initial symptoms. The rash can last for over a week.
The body also aches.
Treatment of measles is by vaccinating of children from the ages of nine months to 10 years and avoiding contact with the infected person.