Ministry records 119 new nodding disease cases

By Violet Nabatanzi

The Ministry of Health has registered 119 new cases of nodding disease in Lamwo and Kitgum districts.

The ministry’s communications officer, Rukia Nakamatte said on phone that 41 cases were discovered in Abam village in Lamwo and 78 in Kitgum.

She added that Pawena and Beyongoya parishes had not reported any new cases.

She said the ministry had plans to set up outreach sites in areas that have a high concentration of nodding disease cases. They include Anak, Parachel, Padibe East and West.

Others are Paloga and Lukumu sub-county.

She said ministry officials planned to visit Atang and Angangura sub-counties in Pader for screening while in Kitgum district they would visit Tumanga village and Panyakel, all in Akwang sub-county.

Meanwhile, a team of health experts has been dispatched to Gulu district to verify the magnitude o the nodding syndrome.

“The team comprises paediatricians, nutritionists and psychiatrists, among others and is expected to work with Gulu regional referral hospital staff,” Nakamatte said.