Kotido District has ordered emergency measles vaccines to help stop an outbreak in the Karamoja area.
Kotido District Health Officer, Dr Cerino Achar, says they have requested the vaccines, which are expected to arrive today, but did not quantify. He said the vaccination will target all children under 5 years.
Based on Uganda’s 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) data for Kotido District, there were 1,293 children below the age of 4.
Measles is an infectious viral disease causing fever and a red rash, typically among children.
In November, the Ministry of Health confirmed a measles outbreak in six of the nine districts of Karamoja, with the exception of Kotido, Karenga, and Kaabong.
The ministry said in a statement on Friday that there were 32 confirmed deaths, with 17 children dying from Napak, 7 in Nakapiripirit, 4 in Moroto, and as many in Abim district. Since the outbreak was confirmed in November.
It added that there were 505 cumulative cases in Moroto, Abim, Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat, with 22 confirmed in the last 24 hours. There were 82 active cases with 414 discharged since November, 2025.
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