A case of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has been confirmed in Kanungu District. Dr. Edwin Birungi Mutahunga, Kanungu District Health Officer, the confirmed patient is currently isolated at a health facility whose identity has not been disclosed.
The patient had been working as an artisanal gold miner in Kayungwe Sub-county, Kinkiizi East County. The gold mine where he worked was closed last week by officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development following the suspension of illegal mining activities.
Dr. Birungi says the District Health Department is monitoring 36 people who came into contact with the patient. He added that health officials are conducting investigations to establish the source of the infection and prevent further spread of the disease within the district.
He urged calm, noting that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever are similar to those currently being implemented to combat Ebola disease.
Dr. Birungi also revealed that the district has received support from the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre team from Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to strengthen the response, and Infection Prevention and Control supplies have been delivered and distributed to priority health facilities across the district.
Frank Illimaso, Kanungu District Principal Health Inspector, who is also the District Field Surveillance Focal Person, says four suspected cases have tested negative for the disease but remain under the mandatory 14-day monitoring period.
He also says that all 36 identified contacts, who are residents of Kihihi Town Council, are being followed up daily. Health workers who had direct contact with the confirmed patient have also been placed under close monitoring, according to Illimaso.
Catherine Nakaye, Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner, says district authorities held a task force meeting on Tuesday and resolved to intensify community sensitization on the disease.
She urges residents to immediately report anyone experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, severe headache, body weakness or bleeding from any body opening.
Nakaye further appeals to the public to avoid direct contact with blood, vomit and other body fluids of sick persons.
She says the task force also resolved that all deaths occurring in communities and health facilities, except those resulting from accidents, must be reported immediately.
No suspected victim should be buried at home without the guidance of health authorities, according to Nakaye.
She also advises residents to avoid contact with sick animals, raw meat and tick bites while in grazing areas, and to ensure that all meat is thoroughly cooked before consumption.
Nakaye also says that Save the Children has donated emergency response supplies to support the district’s efforts to contain the outbreak.
The donation includes 40 pairs of gumboots, 20 jerrycans of liquid soap, 20 jerrycans of hand sanitizer, two large cartons containing 40 boxes of face masks each, 14 handwashing facilities and temperature guns.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is a severe viral disease caused by a tick-borne Nairovirus of the Bunyaviridae family.
The virus is transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals, particularly during and immediately after slaughter.
Those most at risk include livestock farmers, agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians.
According to WHO, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family. The CCHF virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10–40%.The virus is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asian countries south of the 50th parallel north – the geographical limit of the principal tick vector.
Human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected individuals.
Hospital-acquired infections may also occur due to inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, reuse of contaminated needles and poor infection prevention practices.
Early symptoms include sudden fever, muscle pain, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sore throat. As the disease progresses, patients may develop mood changes, confusion, enlarged liver, rapid heartbeat, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes and severe bleeding.
In severe cases, patients may suffer kidney failure, liver failure or lung failure after the fifth day of illness. The World Health Organization estimates that the disease has a fatality rate of about 30 percent, with most deaths occurring during the second week of illness-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
