Uganda Announces Yellow Fever Outbreak As Three Are Reported Dead

A yellow fever outbreak has been confirmed in Uganda by the Health Minister Ruth Aceng today, 24^th January 2020, with three people already reported dead.

The three who died of the disease are reported to be from the midwestern and northwestern parts of Uganda.

The three who died in the Yellow Fever outbreak are two adult men, who were 18 and 21years of age.

The two Ugandan men who died in the outbreak were traders who were cutting and selling timber between Uganda and neighboring South Sudan.

The two young men who succumbed to the Yellow fever virus in the northwestern district of Moyo earlier January 2020.

The third victim who succumbed to the Yellow Fever virus was a third male,a 37-year-old cattle keeper who, died last November in the midwestern district of Buliisa, Aceng reported.

The wife of the third victim who is 38 years of age has also tested positive of the yellow fever virus on the 22^nd of January 2020.

“Blood samples were withdrawn and sent for testing at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). Results from UVRI confirmed yellow fever infection,” Aceng said.

Aceng has said that the Uganda health ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO)have dispatched rapid response teams to Moyo and Buliisa districts to “support investigations, active search for cases, community mobilization and sensitization.”

Uganda has already requested for yellow fever vaccines from the International Coordination Group that manages global stock piles of yellow fever and meningitis vaccines according to the Ministry of Health.

“We anticipate that within the next two weeks, vaccines will be available and vaccination will commence in Moyo and Buliisa districts,” Aceng has said.

Countries surrounding Uganda have since been put on High alert with Kenya included.