Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Unknown Disease Claims 17 in Amuru District
The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
6 November 2008
Posted to the web 10 November 2008
By James Eriku
At least 17 people have been confirmed dead in Amuru after an unknown disease struck the district three months ago and left scores bed ridden, Daily Monitor has reliably learnt.
The disease that was first believed to be malaria broke out in Omee One and Omee Two resettlement camps, in Amuru Sub-county but has since spread to Alero, Parabongo, Awer and Olwal camps.
Local leaders told Daily Monitor yesterday that the disease's symptoms include red eyes, high body temperature, watery stool and vomiting among others.
Amuru District councillor Gilbert Olanya told journalists that health authorities in the area have failed to diagnose the mysterious disease causing more deaths in those areas.
He said since the outbreak, no effort has been made by health authorities to rescue the situation from running out of control.
Mr Justine Olara, a resident of Omee who lost a nephew to the mysterious disease said the deceased was first treated on malaria drugs for days until nurses at Amuru health centre realised that the disease was not responding to treatment but had no other alternatives.
Meanwhile, the Kilak Health Sub-district in-charge, Mr Charles Okwera said efforts were being made to investigate the disease to ascertain its cause.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200811100553.html
The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
6 November 2008
Posted to the web 10 November 2008
By James Eriku
At least 17 people have been confirmed dead in Amuru after an unknown disease struck the district three months ago and left scores bed ridden, Daily Monitor has reliably learnt.
The disease that was first believed to be malaria broke out in Omee One and Omee Two resettlement camps, in Amuru Sub-county but has since spread to Alero, Parabongo, Awer and Olwal camps.
Local leaders told Daily Monitor yesterday that the disease's symptoms include red eyes, high body temperature, watery stool and vomiting among others.
Amuru District councillor Gilbert Olanya told journalists that health authorities in the area have failed to diagnose the mysterious disease causing more deaths in those areas.
He said since the outbreak, no effort has been made by health authorities to rescue the situation from running out of control.
Mr Justine Olara, a resident of Omee who lost a nephew to the mysterious disease said the deceased was first treated on malaria drugs for days until nurses at Amuru health centre realised that the disease was not responding to treatment but had no other alternatives.
Meanwhile, the Kilak Health Sub-district in-charge, Mr Charles Okwera said efforts were being made to investigate the disease to ascertain its cause.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200811100553.html