NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Ugandan health officials report a Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak in Kagadi district in the western part of the country.

Uganda
Image/Robert Herriman

One man has died from the disease. A 34-year-old herdsman from Kihuura Village in Mabaale Sub-county has been identified as the deceased.

The Kagadi District Assistant Health Officer, Mr Paul Bahizi said, “Samples were taken from the deceased, who was showing signs and symptoms of Rift Valley Fever symptoms. His results were positive”.

The Kagadi Resident District Commissioner, Ms Lilian Ruteraho, said the district has dispatched a team of experts to trace the victim’s contacts so that they can also have their samples collected and analyzed.

Rift Valley Fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that causes illness in animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels).

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Most people with RVF have either no symptoms or a mild illness with fever, weakness, back pain, and dizziness. A small percentage (8-10%) of people with RVF develop much more severe symptoms, including eye disease, hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Most people recover within one week. Approximately 1% of people who get RVF die.