MICHAEL
At least five people in Mbarara District are confirmed to have died of Rift valley fever after getting into contact with infected animals.
According to the officer in charge of Bwizibwera Health Centre IV, Dr Richard Atuhairwe, the disease was detected in people after subjecting them to tests.
Dr Atuhairwe said in the last month, about 30 positive cases were confirmed following tests done by the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe and of these, five have since died.
DrAtuhairwe said measures to contain the disease have been put in place.
The District Veterinary Officer (DVO), Dr Andrew Akashaba, said by the end of January, the disease had been reported at two farms in Rwanyamahembe Sub-county where about 50 cows were infected.
Dr Akashaba said they are sensitizing people to stop eating the meat of animals that have died of unknown causes.
