Health 30 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Faces Measles Surge: 20 Districts Hit, 12 Deaths Reported This Year
Uganda's Ministry of Health has identified 20 districts battling a measles outbreak that has killed 12 people in 2024, mainly due to immunization gaps. A nationwide vaccination drive for children under five is set for October to curb the highly contagious disease. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/measles-outbreak-in-uganda-government-names-affected-districts-5442118
Uganda is grappling with a resurgence of measles, a deadly viral disease, affecting 20 districts including Bulambuli, Kassanda, Amolatar, Kibaale, Nwoya, Karenga, Amuru, Agago, Kagadi, Kiboga, Kyegegwa, Kaabong, Kotido, Kween, Lira, Sembabule, Kikuube, Gulu, Kazo, Mubende, and Adjumani.
The outbreak has claimed 12 lives this year, with deaths reported in Kagadi, Kikuube, Adjumani, Bulambuli, and Karenga. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, highlighted that measles spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets and poses a grave risk to unvaccinated children under five.
Symptoms include high fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. An infected person remains contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after.
Dr. Olaro attributed the frequent outbreaks to immunization shortfalls, noting national coverage rose from 79% in 2016 to 90% in 2024 but falls short of the 95% needed to halt transmission.
To combat this, the Ministry of Health plans a mass Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign in October targeting all children under five, regardless of prior shots. Full protection requires two doses: one at 9 months and another at 18 months.
This article is based on a report from Daily Monitor.