Hepatitis E
KAABONG, Uganda — An outbreak of Hepatitis E has killed 12 people out of 210 infected in Uganda’s northeastern region of Karamoja, The New Vision Web site reported, citing Michael Lochiyo, the health educator of Kaabong district in the region.
At least four people are being infected daily in two areas in the region, the Kampala-based newspaper reported.
Drinking water or eating food contaminated by a virus found in human and animal feces causes the disease. In 2007, hepatitis E killed 169 people out of 10,000 infections in northern Uganda, the paper said.
Hepatitis E is a waterborne viral infection that is transmitted through drinking water or eating contaminated food. The virus is found in the stool of infected persons or animals.
Lochiyo attributed the spread of the disease to a local cultural belief that discourages latrine usage, the report said.
“The Karimojong defecate in riverbeds and these are places where they scoop water to drink or for domestic use,” he is quoted as saying.
People in the affected areas were advised to boil water for drinking, wash their hands with soap after using the toilet and remove children’s feces from homes, the report said.
A vaccine candidate has been developed and appears effective, but further studies are needed to assess its long-term protection and cost-effectiveness.
