A resident of Kisima Island in Jinja City has died after exhibiting severe symptoms associated with a recent Bilharzia outbreak that has affected dozens of people in the island communities of Kisima I and Kisima II. The death comes as authorities intensify efforts to identify and treat infected residents following confirmation of the outbreak last month.
Jinja Resident City Commissioner Salim Kumaketch, who heads the city taskforce overseeing the response, said the deceased was identified through a community-based surveillance exercise being conducted by Village Health Team (VHT) members. According to Kumaketch, the man was found at his home in a critical condition without any caretaker. He said the patient had lost his ability to speak and died shortly after being rushed to Kisima II Health Centre III for treatment.
The task force was established after Jinja City health authorities confirmed the outbreak of Bilharzia in Kisima I and Kisima II cells in the Jinja City Southern Division. Last month, Jinja City Health Officer Frederick Isabirye said a rapid response team had been dispatched to the islands following reports of residents exhibiting symptoms associated with Bilharzia. The symptoms included swollen abdomens, fever, headaches, dehydration, vomiting, and traces of blood in stool.
According to Isabirye, health workers collected 50 stool samples from the two island communities, with laboratory results confirming Bilharzia infection in 30 of the samples. Following the findings, city authorities established a task force to coordinate treatment and surveillance activities. Kumaketch said health officials, working with Village Health Teams, are conducting door-to-door identification of infected residents to ensure they receive treatment.
He added that Jinja City health authorities have already placed an emergency order for Bilharzia medicines and are working to expedite their delivery. The task force is also mobilizing residents to seek treatment, which is being offered free of charge. Parents are being encouraged to take advantage of ongoing deworming services for children, with health workers deployed to examine and provide medication at no cost.
However, Village Health Team members have raised concerns about poor health-seeking behaviour among some residents. They say many affected people continue to seek treatment from traditional healers instead of visiting health facilities for diagnosis and treatment.
The VHT members have urged Jinja City health educators to strengthen community sensitization campaigns to encourage residents to adopt scientifically proven treatment and preventive healthcare practices. Health educators are also expected to emphasize hygiene and sanitation measures to help prevent further spread of Bilharzia within the island communities-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
