By KT Reporter
Residents of Kasenda Sub-county in Kabarole District are raising alarm over a resurgence of bilharzia cases in the area. Schistosomiasis, also known as Bilharzia, is an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions.
Symptoms of bilharzia include muscle pains, diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, coughing and urinary tract infections. If untreated, bilharzia may cause life-threatening urinary system or liver damage, bladder tumours and bowel infections.
The cases have risen in the villages which use water from Marusi Crater Lake, located in Burambira Parish, Kasenda Subcounty. The lake serves six villages of Kibuga A, Kibuga B, Muhwezi, Nyakashozwa, Kitojo, and Nyabweya C.
Residents revealed that recently, they have noticed symptoms of bilharzia in their children, like stunted growth, swelling of the stomach, itchy skin, vomiting and diarrhoea, which has caused worry.
Alex Kaddu, a resident of Muhwezi village, says that when they send children to fetch water, they end up playing in the contaminated lake, further exposing them to bilharzia.
He adds that although they have been told to avoid the lake, their parish has no other source of clean water for domestic use and is asking the government to extend clean water to the area.
Jackline Kyomuhendo revealed that about three years ago, the water of Marusi Crater Lake changed colour to green, raising concern. “We have to first sieve to first sieve the water to use it, and the food cooked with it tastes strange.” She said.
Francis Tumuranze, another resident, is worried that even if the problem is not solved, the disease will spread fast and affect many people in the area.
Annet Asasira, the district councillor of Kasenda Sub-County, asked the government for the extension of clean water in the area and the provision of water filtering jerrycans.
According to a survey conducted by the Vector Control Unit of the district in November 2024, laboratory tests confirmed 36 positive cases from the 200 samples taken, amounting to 18 percent. The samples were taken from pupils from three primary schools in Kasenda subcounty.
In 2013, the prevalence rate of bilharzia in the district had dropped to only 4 percent.
Dr Stephen Kalyegira, the Kabarole District Health Officer, acknowledged the resurgence of the disease in Kasenda subcounty. He says that the most affected group has been children because they play in the water.
He adds that the subcounty has three water schemes, but the water hasn’t reached Burambira parish, where this lake is found, but noted that the district has a plan in pipe pipeline to extend water to this area.
Kalyegira says that the district has other measures to control the spread of the disease, like giving out the bilharzia drugs once every year, holding community dialogues to sensitise the residents about proper hygiene and carrying out school outreaches.
Dr Kalyegira advised the people to avoid Contact with water from crater lakes and, if they cannot, to always boil the water for drinking and filter it before using it for other domestic use.
He also advised them to practice proper water, sanitation and hygiene practices.
Bilharzia was first discovered in Kabarole district in 2005, and the most affected areas are Kichwamba, Kasenda sub-counties and Kasenda Town Council, which are surrounded by crater lakes.
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