WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 39: 25 September - 1 October 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 1 October 2023
...
Uganda
Rift Valley fever
181 cases
13 Deaths
7.2% CFR
Ungraded Grade
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks in humans have mainly
been reported from the Western and Central regions of
Uganda, mainly within the cattle corridor districts, since
the beginning of 2023. From week 1 to week 36 (ending
10 September 2023), a total of 181 suspected cases of
RVF including 53 confirmed and 13 deaths (CFR 7.2%)
were reported from eight districts; Kabale, Rubanda,
Mbarara and Mbarara city, Isingiro, Bushenyi, Nakaseke,
Kazo and Kakumiro districts.
During week 36, three districts, including Nakaseke
in central Uganda, Mbarara and Kakumiro in western
Uganda, were still reporting active RVF outbreaks, with
the most recent cases reported in Kakumiro district.
Between 25 August and 10 September 2023, three RVF
cases (two confirmed and one probable) and two deaths
(CFR 66.7%) were reported from Kakumiro district.
The first case was a 29-year-old butcher from Nkooko
town council. He had onset of symptoms of fever,
headache, abdominal pain and intense fatigue on 10
August 2023 and on 18 August 2023, he sought medical
care at a private clinic where he was referred to the
regional referral hospital. He died the same day on his
way to the hospital. No sample was collected for testing.
The second case was a 36-year-old butcher from
Kyolobezi village in Mpasana sub-county, who developed
a febrile illness on 11 August 2023. On 16 August 2023,
he developed severe nose bleeding and received a
symptomatic treatment at home, which was followed
with noticeable clinical improvement. A blood specimen
collected prior to his death returned positive for RVF by
reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR)
on 25 August 2023.
The third case is a 50-year-old butcher residing from the
same subcounty as the second case, who had onset of
symptoms on 26 August 2023. On 30 August 2023, he
was referred and isolated at a Health Centre III. A blood
sample collected returned positive for RVF virus on 4
September 2023.
The common features observed among the three cases
are that they all are all animal handlers and presented with
similar symptoms, including fever, headache, abdominal
and joint pain, as well as intense fatigue. In addition, two
cases initially sought care through traditional methods
and one received self-medication at home.
Laboratory testing was performed on collected blood
samples at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)
using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR) method.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The District Rapid Response Teams, with support
of partner organizations providing technical and
financial support, are actively carrying out response
activities in the affected districts.
Uganda runs a routine Viral Haemorrhagic Fever
(VHF) surveillance program, where a total of 2 036
samples had been collected by Week 36 (ending
10 September 2023), both from cadavers and alive
people.
Surveillance activities, including ongoing VHF
surveillance program in the high-risk districts, active
case searching, contact tracing, case investigation,
case confirmation are ongoing in the affected districts.
Risk communication and community sensitization on
RVF infection prevention are ongoing in the affected
districts.
Infection Prevention and Control assessment and
mentorship is being conducted in health facilities in
the affected districts.
Active animal case search on farms in affected
districts is ongoing.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Integrated prevention and control measures that address
both human and animal health are to be reinforced to
prevent livestock losses and human fatalities and help
mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of RVF outbreaks in the
country. This includes early reporting and management of
animal and human cases, sensitization trainings targeting
people at high-risk of exposure during RVF outbreaks,
enhanced vector control, preventive animal vaccination,
and control of animal movements.
The reported tendency to resort to traditional methods of
care or self-medication observed in the last three patients
during this outbreak suggests a continuous need to
strengthen and maintain sensitization within the communities.
Uganda has technical capacities for confirming RVF cases, which
are a crucial asset for epidemic response activities
and should be supported, especially in the context of
the ongoing systematic surveillance of VHFs in the country.
https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/disease-outbreaks/outbreaks-and-other-emergencies-updates
