KAMPALA, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan government said Friday an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in the central districts of Mityana and Kiboga has killed two people.
Charles Olaro, acting director general of health services at the ministry of health, said in a statement that blood samples taken from two dead patients in Mityana and Kiboga tested positive of RVF.
The two were a 26-year-old male forest ranger, who died on Nov. 16, and a 69-year-old male farmer and fisherman, who died on Nov. 21.
He said the National Rapid Response Team has been sent to support the district response structures to contain the outbreak.
RVF is a viral zoonosis that can also infect humans. Most human infections result from contact with the blood or organs of infected animals.
The disease can result in significant economic losses due to death and abortion among RVF-infected livestock.
