Authorities in Nakasongola District have confirmed one case of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a viral disease primarily transmitted to humans from ticks and livestock animals.
The confirmed CCHF case is from Namansa Parish in Nabiswera Sub county undergoing treatment at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala City while 3 suspects are under observation. A total of 21 contacts are under observation, the medical teams in Nakasongola District confirmed on September 7, 2025.
A circular dated September 5, 2025 seen by this publication invites heads of departments among other stakeholders for the CCHF Taskforce meeting at the District Health office on Monday 8, 2025 clarifies about 1-confirmed CCHF case undergoing treatment at Nakasero Hospital.
“Nakasongola District has registered an outbreak of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever. Sofar, one confirmed case of CCHF is undergoing treatment at Nakasero Hospital and 3 suspects under isolation,” the circular signed by Mr Edward Kitonsa on behalf of the District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reads in part.
Nakasongola District Health Officer, Dr Agaba Byamukama confirmed the CCHF outbreak where one person is undergoing treatment.
“We have one confirmed case of CCHF undergoing treatment while 21 contacts are under observation. CCHF is a viral disease with a recent history of outbreaks in cattle corridor areas where Nakasongola falls.
The last registered CCHF outbreak was in 2022 in Nakasongola District,” he told the Monitor on September 7, 2025.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Crimean –Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) as a severe viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted by ticks and found in Africa and Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East with case fatality rate reaching 10-40 percent . CCHF has a potential for severe outbreaks, its global distribution and the lack of vaccine for control.
Humans can also become infected through direct contact with the blood or tissue of infected animals. The disease can spread between humans through close contact with the blood, bodily fluids or organs of an infected person.
Symptoms;
Congo-Crimean Hemorrhagic fever often presents with high fever, headache, back pain, dizziness and joint pains. It is also followed by nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and sour eyes among other symptoms. The severe complications lead kidney failure, liver failure, bleeding in the brain and death.