A strange unidentified epidemic that has so far claimed five lives in Ibanda district has got doctors scratching heads.
Since the strange ailment was reported in the western districts a few weeks ago, a team of experts were sent in from Kampala, but could not make out what it is.
It was first suspected to be nodding disease, but the experts deduced the two are only related. They also ruled out polio.
According to the medics, the disease attacks the brain; weakens blood vessels killing eye sight, speech and motion.
It has since killed five members of one family in Rwensambya village, Keihangara sub county. Four people are still hospitalized include the head of the family, 42 year old Fred Karuhanga.
Dr. Justus Byarugaba, one of Uganda’s leading pediatric neurologists who was sent by Health Ministry visited the affected home and allayed fears that the disease could be contagious.
Dr Byarugaba told Chimpreports that after meeting with family members; he was informed that the same disease had claimed another family member some years back.
He said that the patients Mr Karuhanga and his son would be taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for further help, while the others who appeared to have reached the advanced stages of the ailment would be transferred to the national referral hospital in Kampala.