MEASLES OUTBREAK IN MASINDI BLAMED ON PARENT’S NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS IMMUNIZATION

By Yosam Gucwaki

www.mknewslink.com

In Masindi———–

Health experts in Masindi district have blamed the measles outbreak in the area to communities which hold negative attitude towards immunization.

Michael Amudu, the Masindi district health educator, told our reporter that most of the people in the district dont take immunization as a serious issue something he said is resulting into diseases which would be preventable.

He noted that when government comes out with mass immunization programs some people hide their children.

According to John Kirungi the Masindi district surveillance officer, measles was reported to have broken out in Masindi in August this year.

He added that it was first confirmed in Kiryandongo district and it later spread to the villages of Kitanyata, Kitengule, Kilanyi, kihaguzi, Nyakyanika among others all in Pakanyi sub county.

He explained that when they heard of the epidemic they reported to the regional office and to the ministry of health.

According to the reports from the local leaders, over 10 people have died of measles but Kirungi could not confirm this saying he needs to do more research on this. However he noted that so far 70 cases have been reported to the health facilities.

Kirungi said that as Masindi district local government they are planning to carry out mass immunization more especially in the affected areas though he didnt indicate when they are likely to start.

In 2016 a report compiled by Community District Empowerment Schedules (CODES) indicated that 42 percent of the children in Masindi district below 12 months missed their immunizationschedule for measlesatdifferenthealthfacilitiesbetweenJanuaryandJune2016.

Source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website Email: wmuhwezi75@gmail.com Tel: +256702680106