Kasese District has recorded its first confirmed death from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, involving a 48-year-old resident of Kitsutsu Village in Nyakiyumbu Sub-county, prompting health authorities to intensify public awareness and disease surveillance efforts.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is a severe tick-borne viral disease with a fatality rate of up to 40 percent. It is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with blood and tissues from infected animals. Arafat Bwambale, the Kasese District Surveillance Focal Person, confirmed the death and said the deceased was accorded a safe and dignified burial with support from the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Bwambale urged residents to remain vigilant by avoiding close contact with animals, controlling tick infestations, and refraining from encroaching on protected wildlife areas, which are natural habitats for ticks.
Meanwhile, Julius Monday Bwambale, who also serves as a co-opted member of the National Ebola Task Force, called for intensified community sensitization to prevent further transmission of the disease.He noted that although CCHF is different from Ebola, both are viral hemorrhagic fevers that require early detection, public awareness, and strict adherence to preventive measures.
The legislator also encouraged health workers to provide psychosocial support to affected communities to help address fear and anxiety associated with disease outbreaks. During a recent district task force meeting, officials reported that none of the 31 samples collected from suspected Ebola cases in Kasese had tested positive for the disease.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner in charge of Bukonzo, Lt. Maate Magwara, said while the district has made progress in Ebola preparedness and prevention, low levels of awareness in border communities remain a concern. He added that authorities are working to strengthen disease prevention measures without disrupting cross-border trade and local economic activities. URN