The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Katakwi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Four family members in Angobo Village in Katakwi Sub County in Katakwi district are under surveillance following the death of a family member because of the suspected Ebola virus. This follows the death of a 24-year- an old Rose Apuwatum at Katakwi General Hospital on Friday, September 30, 2022.
The victim is reported to have fallen ill while at Ocorimongin Cattle Market as she sold jack fruits. The incident report compiled by the Katakwi Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Katamba indicates that while in the market, the deceased complained of general body pain and shortly started vomiting blood.
She was reportedly rushed to her home in Angobo Village and was later evacuated to Katakwi General Hospital where she was pronounced dead on the same night. Dr. Simon Peter Odeke, the Katakwi General Hospital Medical Superintendent, says the decision to isolate the family was informed by the signs presented by the deceased before her death.
“We have submitted samples for testing and we expect results this week to inform our next cause of action. the patient presented with abdominal pain and excessive vomiting of blood and by the time she was brought to the hospital, she had already lost a lot of blood”, he said.
Dr. Odeke added that they have dispatched surveillance teams to the village to monitor the situation and also calm down residents whom he notes are tensed. “We don’t want to take chances. We conducted the burial according to the health measures recommended by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization”, he added. The Ebola outbreak in Uganda was announced in Mubende district in September 2022.
The disease has claimed at least eight lives. More than 50 confirmed and suspected cases have been reported in Mubende, Kassanda, and Kyegegwa Districts. The disease presents with fever, severe headache and muscle and joint pain, body weakness and fatigue, sore throat, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
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