Typhoid outbreak reported in Kampala

By Alfred Wandera and Juliet Waiswa

THE Ministry of Health and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have reported typhoid outbreak in Kampala and parts of its neighboring districts of Mukono and Wakiso.

"So far, two people have been confirmed to have died of the disease while 11 more deaths are still being investigated for the same. Laboratory tests have on a good note, however, ruled out possible link to any Viral Haemorrhagic Fever," said Dr. Ruth Aceng, Director General Health Services, at a press conference on Thursday at Media Centre in Kampala.

Aceng said the confirmation comes after a thorough investigation into reports initially of a strange disease among people working at Qualicel, Nabukeera Plaza and Total Petrol Station on Namirembe Road.

"The first victim to be noted was admitted at Namungoona Hospital and later passed on the following day. The report was received by the Ministry of Health on February 6," said Aceng.

Aceng's statement counters an earlier statement by KCCA's Director of Curative Services, Dr. Daniel Okello that indicated that the outbreak had claimed four lives in the city.

Okello had on Tuesday said typhoid had so far claimed four lives and about 16 other people were being monitored by KCCA with symptoms similar to typhoid.

"We have taken samples from 16 people who were said to be sick and we have found that four of the victims are positive. We are still monitoring other cases as they come but four people are confirmed dead," said Okello.

Traders operating around the Old Taxi Park had earlier told New Vision that 10 people have so far died.

Mustapha Mayambala, the chairperson of Uganda Transport Development Agency, an association that governs taxi drivers in the city, a week ago wrote to KCCA and Ministry of Health, informing them of an outbreak of a strange disease among taxi drivers and conductors in the Old and New Taxi Parks in Kampala.

Aceng said the surveillance report submitted to the ministry also indicated that 20 to 30 more people were complaining of symptoms similar to that of the deceased.

She noted that the Ministry and KCCA have already constituted a team of epidemiologists and surveillance officers to investigate the strange disease affecting people in the central business district.