Plagues,
Pestilences and Diseases
Mysterious disease death toll hits 100 in Uganda
Scientists are set to launch a series of investigations after
previous ones failed to identify the cause of a mysterious disease
that has killed over 100 people and left over 2,000 others
infected in several districts in northern Uganda.
The disease which was first reported in September 2009 has since
been dubbed ‘nodding disease’ because it leaves its victims
nodding.
It has since spread to five districts in the region which include
Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Agago and Amuru.
Mr Richard Nduhura, minister of state for health in charge of
general duties, said that the two previous samples and tests
carried out by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) scientists in
Atlanta US failed to identify the cause of the disease.
Mr Nduhura, who is leading a fact finding mission in the affected
areas which are also recovering from a two decade long insurgency,
told the residents on Friday that a team of scientists from the
ministry of health, World Health Organization and CDC is going to
carry out new tests.
“We are going to handle and give this matter (disease) the
attention it deserves.
‘‘We are going to work with you (residents) to find out the cause
and solution to this problem.
‘‘We are going to carry another round of tests to establish and
identify the disease,” he said.