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Small pox reported in Bududa camps
By Tabu Butagira (email the author)
Posted Thursday, March 25 2010 at 00:00
In Summary
Meanwhile, the government has sent a team of geologists from Makerere University to assess the risk to Manafwa District residents living on Mt. Elgon slopes following the discovery of a five-kilometre long uphill fissure.
Kampala
Four children in Internally Displaced People’s camps in Bududa District, reportedly suffering from small pox, have been taken to Bukigai and Bulucheke Health Centres III and II, respectively.
Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, Uganda Red Cross’ regional programme officer for eastern Uganda, said last evening that the infections were registered on Monday and Tuesday.
Spread contained
“These are cases in the IDP camps but the spread has been contained,” she said by phone.
In Kampala, Dr Richard Nduhuura, the state minister for Health (general duties), said he is “unaware” of the outbreak of the disease that scientists say can kill three out of every 10 infected persons.
He referred this newspaper to the acting Director General of Health Services, Dr Kenya Mugisha, who was unavailable for comment
Information posted on the World Health Organisation website indicates that small pox, an ancient communicable disease infamous for killing Queen Mary II of England, is transmitted mainly through infected aerosols and air droplets.
“The frequency of infection is highest after face-to-face contact with a patient,” says WHO.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and back/abdominal pangs. Survivors usually remain with deep-pitted scars (pockmarks), most prominently on the face.
Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday sent a team of geologists from Makerere University to assess the risk to Manafwa District residents living on Mt. Elgon slopes following the discovery of a five-kilometre long uphill fissure.
Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere said arrangements are underway to relocate the most-at-risk populations.
“We have called on area Members of Parliament and councillors to be involved in the mobilisation and senstisation of the residents to avoid another tragedy,” he said by phone.
Villages at risk
A joint team of bureaucrats, Uganda Red Cross Society and local officials inspected the fault line yesterday.
Initial reports suggested some 10,000 people in 33 villages could be buried by landslides following the expanding crack that has already pushed a mass of soil halfway, downhill.
By Tabu Butagira (email the author)
Posted Thursday, March 25 2010 at 00:00
In Summary
Meanwhile, the government has sent a team of geologists from Makerere University to assess the risk to Manafwa District residents living on Mt. Elgon slopes following the discovery of a five-kilometre long uphill fissure.
Kampala
Four children in Internally Displaced People’s camps in Bududa District, reportedly suffering from small pox, have been taken to Bukigai and Bulucheke Health Centres III and II, respectively.
Ms Kevin Nabutuwa, Uganda Red Cross’ regional programme officer for eastern Uganda, said last evening that the infections were registered on Monday and Tuesday.
Spread contained
“These are cases in the IDP camps but the spread has been contained,” she said by phone.
In Kampala, Dr Richard Nduhuura, the state minister for Health (general duties), said he is “unaware” of the outbreak of the disease that scientists say can kill three out of every 10 infected persons.
He referred this newspaper to the acting Director General of Health Services, Dr Kenya Mugisha, who was unavailable for comment
Information posted on the World Health Organisation website indicates that small pox, an ancient communicable disease infamous for killing Queen Mary II of England, is transmitted mainly through infected aerosols and air droplets.
“The frequency of infection is highest after face-to-face contact with a patient,” says WHO.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and back/abdominal pangs. Survivors usually remain with deep-pitted scars (pockmarks), most prominently on the face.
Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday sent a team of geologists from Makerere University to assess the risk to Manafwa District residents living on Mt. Elgon slopes following the discovery of a five-kilometre long uphill fissure.
Disaster Preparedness Minister Tarsis Kabwegyere said arrangements are underway to relocate the most-at-risk populations.
“We have called on area Members of Parliament and councillors to be involved in the mobilisation and senstisation of the residents to avoid another tragedy,” he said by phone.
Villages at risk
A joint team of bureaucrats, Uganda Red Cross Society and local officials inspected the fault line yesterday.
Initial reports suggested some 10,000 people in 33 villages could be buried by landslides following the expanding crack that has already pushed a mass of soil halfway, downhill.
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