By Spy Uganda
The cumulative number of measles-related deaths in four districts in Uganda’s semi-arid northeastern region has risen to 32, one month after the outbreak was officially declared, the Ministry of Health has said.
In a situation update released by the ministry, Napak District has recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 17 child deaths. Nakapiripirit has reported seven deaths, while Abim and Moroto districts have each registered four.
The outbreak continues to spread, with 24 new measles cases reported in the past 24 hours across five districts in the region. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 505.
According to the ministry, response efforts have been intensified at the regional level. “Response activities include the deployment of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team within 72 hours to conduct comprehensive outbreak investigations in all affected districts and to support active surveillance,” the report stated.
Health officials have identified several factors driving the outbreak, including low population immunity to measles, delayed detection of cases, failure to vaccinate eligible children, delays in seeking medical care, and weak active measles surveillance in the affected communities.
To contain the outbreak, the ministry has launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting children aged six months to 15 years in the affected districts. Authorities say the campaign is ongoing and is critical to preventing further loss of life.
The current outbreak adds to Uganda’s recent struggles with measles. Last year, the Ministry of Health reported outbreaks in 56 districts across the country, highlighting persistent gaps in routine immunisation coverage.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease spread through coughing and sneezing. It can cause severe illness, particularly among unvaccinated children. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after infection.
Health officials are urging parents and caregivers in affected areas to ensure children are vaccinated and to seek medical care promptly when symptoms appear, warning that delayed treatment increases the risk of severe complications and death.
