The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There is anxiety among locals and health officials in Arua city following an outbreak of chicken pox in Ayiforo cell, Dadamu ward, Ayivu division.
Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus and causes an itchy rash with small, fluid-filled blisters and is highly contagious to people who haven’t had the disease or been vaccinated against it.
Reports indicate that a 14-year-old girl has been admitted at Arua hospital while over 30 others in the same cell have shown signs of the disease and are battling it at home.
Elias Mahmud, the in charge Risk Communication and Laboratory services Arua city said they have received reports that eight members of the family where the admitted girl comes from in Ayiforo cell have already been infected.
Godfrey Apangu, the Principal Health Inspector Arua city said their findings showed that 33 children and eight adults have signs of Chickenpox and some have been receiving treatment from a local retired nurse in the area.
According to Apangu, there is need for immediate intervention to treat the infected and stop the further spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Gasper Adia, the surveillance focal person Arua city has attributed the quick spread of the disease to communities not reporting it in time. He thus has appealed to LCs and VHTs to promptly report any strange sicknesses they notice in their communities using the integrated disease surveillance platform for immediate intervention.
*****
URN
