The Ministry of Health in Shangombo District has revealed an increase in measles infections three weeks after the district recorded its first positive case.
 Shangombo District Hospital Acting Medical Officer In-Charge Ululi Wamunyima confirmed this when a team of officers from the District Administration and the local authority visited the hospital.
Dr Wamunyima said the district has recorded 58 suspected cases, of which 17 have been confirmed positive.
“So far we have 58 suspected cases with 17 confirmed positives,” Dr Wamunyima said.
He added that one patient who was in critical condition was successfully treated and has since been discharged.
Dr Wamunyima further revealed that the hospital has set up an isolation unit with dedicated staff assigned to provide appropriate treatment to patients.
Shangombo District Commissioner Mubita Siyamana has declared the situation an emergency and called on stakeholders in the district to work together to curb further spread of the disease.
The District Commissioner who was represented by District Water Officer Gracious Kalondo, said his office will convene an emergency meeting to strategize on resource mobilization to help combat the disease.
He commended frontline workers for their sacrifice in ensuring that new cases are not recorded.
“I would like to commend the staff under the Ministry of Health and line ministries who are ensuring that vaccination activities remain ongoing to prevent new cases,” Mr Kalondo said.
Meanwhile, Shangombo Town Council Secretary Abwino Banda called for an additional isolation centre to reduce the congestion currently being experienced.
Mr Banda said the local authority, as the provider of primary health care services under devolved functions, is doing everything possible to ensure patients are taken care of.
“The provision of primary health care services is now under the local authority, which also includes the management of infectious diseases such as measles.
“What we have done is to mobilize what we can currently to ensure patients are fed,” Mr Banda said.
He added that another unit at the health facility has been identified for use as an additional isolation ward.
He further stated that the district is engaging health authorities in neighbouring Angola, as the first case is suspected to have been imported from there.
“Additionally, we are trying to liaise with our colleagues from Angola because, as you may wish to know, the first case came from Angola,” Mr Banda said.
