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Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | An outbreak of measles has been confirmed in Luwero district.
The district has registered over 50 cases of measles among children under five years in health centres. The outbreak has been confirmed in Luwero town council and Luwero sub-county.
Dr Innocent Nkonwa the Luwero District Health Officer says that five samples were picked and taken to Uganda Virus Research Institute -UVRI where they were confirmed positive for measles.
Nkonwa added as a result the district has announced a massive vaccination exercise targeting children from nine months to 11 years. He said that exercise is intended to offer herd immunity to the children to stop the spread of the viral infection.
Nkonwa declared that the exercise will run from Monday 2nd September to 6th September 2024.
In the exercise, the Health department targets vaccinating 105,000 children below five years in the district.
According to the World Health Organization, Measles is a very contagious disease that causes fever, a red rash, cough and watery eyes. Early symptoms usually last 4–7 days.
If not treated, measles can result in blindness, severe breathing problems, ear infections, severe diarrhoea and related dehydration among others.
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