The acting director general of health services, Prof. Anthony Mbonye says current water shortage has led pastoralists to converge in big numbers at River Lugogo, one of the reasons why there is an outbreak of acute bacterial meningitis in Kinyogoga sub-county in Nakaseke district.
“Anyone is at risk of infection with meningitis. However, children and young adults are more vulnerable. They at great risk of contracting the disease,” Prof Mbonye said in a statement from the ministry to media.
So far, 16 cases have been confirmed in the sub-county. Acute bacterial meningitis is a rapidly progressive bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
Dr Mbonye says reactive vaccination in the affected community and plans to vaccinate the entire districts of Nakasongola and Nakaseke are underway.
Uganda is in the meningitis belt and has had several meningitis outbreaks in a number of districts in West Nile, Northern and North Eastern regions.
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