The total number of measles deaths in four districts in Uganda's semi-arid northeastern area has increased to 32 since the outbreak in November, according to a report released by the country's health ministry on Tuesday.  

The ministry claimed in a situation update that the sickness had killed 17 children in Napak, seven in Nakapiripirit, four in Abim, and four in Moroto.  Five districts in the area reported 24 additional cases of measles in the last 24 hours, increasing the total number of cases to 505.

“Response activities at the regional level include deployment of the EOC (Emergency Operation Center) team within 72 hours to conduct comprehensive outbreak investigations in all the outbreak districts and supporting active surveillance,” the ministry said in the report.

The ministry has determined that poor measles population immunity, delayed outbreak detection, vaccination failure, delayed seeking medical attention, and insufficient active measles surveillance in the afflicted areas are the main reasons of the outbreak.  

The ministry claims that a measles vaccination program is under progress, aimed at people in the impacted districts between the ages of six months and fifteen.  A measles outbreak in 56 districts around the East African nation was declared by the ministry in 2024.  

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious sickness and is spread by coughing and sneezing.  High fever, coughing, runny nose, and watery, red eyes are among the symptoms.  

The World Health Organization states that symptoms usually start to show up seven to fourteen days after infection.

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