Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 06, 2024 2 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 2 hours, 25 minutes ago
Medical News: Deadly viral infection called Rift Valley Fever emerges in Uganda's Ntungamo District.
A confirmed outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) has devastated Uganda’s Ntungamo district, claiming three lives and potentially infecting hundreds more. The disease has spread rapidly across the areas of Rubaare, Nyarutuntu, and Itojo, according to Dr Moses Asiimwe, the District Surveillance focal person. The most affected groups are individuals aged 13 to 45, particularly livestock handlers.
Latest Rift Valley Fever Outbreak In Uganda Kills Three While Hundreds At Risk
Rising Numbers and Symptoms
While there are six lab-confirmed cases, many more are suspected as test results are pending or individuals exhibiting symptoms yet to be tested. The Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe has confirmed the presence of the virus, with patients commonly showing symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and bleeding.
Measures to Contain the Outbreak
The Acting District Health Officer, Dr Beatrice Chemisto, has initiated several control measures. These include vector control, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns focusing on handling dead animals. The primary aim is to stop the spread of the disease, which has already caused significant concern in the affected communities.
According to local
Medical News outlets, the outbreak is fast spreading distance and geographically wise and could have already spread to neighboring Rwanda.
Extent of the Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in early June that RVF is prevalent in the districts of Ntungamo, Mbarara, and Sheema, all located in western Uganda. The disease, caused by a mosquito-borne virus, primarily affects animals such as sheep, cattle, and goats. It poses a severe economic threat due to the potential loss of livestock, a critical income source for many in these regions.
Since the beginning of the year, Uganda has reported eight confirmed human cases of RVF, including five deaths (CFR 62.5%).
This new outbreak in the last few days has claimed an additional 3 lives and could be a massive outbreak to date as hundreds are possibly infected.
Scientific Understanding of RVF
The RVF virus belongs to the Bunyavirales order, a group of enveloped negative single-stranded RNA viruses. These viruses have an outer lipid envelope with two glycoproteins necessary for cell entry. They infect host cells by fusing their envelope with an endosomal membrane, delivering their genome into the host-cell cytoplasm.
Transmission and Impact on Livestock
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes and can spread to both animals and humans. The virus primarily infects livestock, including cows, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels. In these animals, the disease can cause severe illness, pregnancy loss, and death, leading to subst
antial economic burdens in affected areas.
Human Transmission and Symptoms
Humans typically contract RVF through direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or tissues of infected animals, often during activities like butchering and slaughtering. Additionally, bites from infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus. Symptoms in humans range from mild to severe, including fever, muscle pains, and headaches that can last up to a week. Severe symptoms can include vision loss, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.
https://www.cdc.gov/rift-valley-fever/about/index.html
Diagnosis and Prevention
Diagnosis of RVF involves detecting antibodies against the virus or the virus itself in the blood. Preventing the disease in humans requires vaccinating animals before an outbreak, as vaccinating during an outbreak can exacerbate the situation. Controlling animal movement and reducing mosquito populations are also critical measures. While a human vaccine exists, it is not widely available as of 2010. Medical treatment for RVF is primarily supportive, as there is no specific cure.
Economic and Health Implications
RVF has significant implications for both public health and the economy. The disease can lead to widespread livestock deaths, causing substantial economic losses for communities that rely on these animals for their livelihood. In humans, while the disease can be mild, the severe cases can lead to long-term health issues or death, further straining public health resources.
Preventive Measures and Public Awareness
Efforts to control the outbreak include increasing public awareness about the disease and promoting safe practices when handling animals. Vector control measures, such as reducing mosquito populations, are also essential. Health officials are working tirelessly to trace contacts and manage cases to prevent further spread.
Long-Term Strategies
Long-term strategies include improving surveillance systems to detect and respond to RVF outbreaks promptly, increasing public education on the risks and prevention methods, and investing in research to develop more effective vaccines and treatments. By taking these steps, Uganda can better protect its population and livestock from the devastating effects of RVF.
Conclusion
The RVF outbreak in Uganda's Ntungamo district highlights the urgent need for effective disease control measures and public health interventions. With coordinated efforts and continued vigilance, it is possible to mitigate the impact of RVF and safeguard the health and economic stability of affected communities.
For more about updates about the Rift valley Outbreak in Uganda, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/h7n5-debuts-in-germany-to-cause-bird-flu-outbreak-near-border-with-netherlands
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