A boy who has been attacked by the ‘liver disease’ in Masaka town. Health officials say they are researching about the disease. Photo by Martins E. Ssekweyama

At least 140 people are hospitalised in Nakasongola District following an attack by a disease whose cause medical experts are still examining, while in Masaka a liver infection has left more than 20 children with swollen stomachs.
Both incidents are said to have developed early March, with 24 patients with swollen stomachs reported so far at Masaka Regional Hospital since last year.
Dr Teddy Nabbanja, the in-charge children’s ward at the hospital, described the disease as a liver infection different from the known ones and has been mainly identified among children.
“It causes general failure of body organs and the patient becomes malnourished. The infection attacks the liver, causing a lot of water to accumulate in the patient’s bladder which causes the abdomen to swell,” Ms Nabbanja said.
She added that several children have been admitted to the hospital with the infection since July last year but have not been given any form of liver treatment.

At the time Daily Monitor visited the hospital yesterday, there were five patients with symptoms of the disease, all of whom were to be referred to Mulago Hospital in Kampala.
Ms Mariam Nabadda of Kimanya-Kyabakuza Division in Masaka Municipality said her three-year-old son with the condition was referred to Mulago Hospital.
In Nakasongola, the disease baffling doctors is said to cause joint pain, severe stomach pain, constant vomiting, dehydration and diarrhea. Some of the patients have been admitted in Kiwoko Hospital and Kakooge HC III as health workers search for information on the disease.
Investigating illness
The district health officer, Dr Gerald Ssekitto Kalule, said: “We have tested 12 samples of malaria and diarrhea but we have not yet discovered the disease. We are still carrying out more tests although we suspect that it may be gastroenteritis which could have been caused by inflammation.”
He said patients have been given some support treatment such as oral rehydration salt (ORS) as the district health team works around the clock to ensure that they get more treatment.
Mr Kalule also said the Ministry of Health had been informed about the problem but there has been no response.
Some of the areas affected by the disease include Kyakidula, Kitanda, and Kinoni in Kakooge Sub-county.
Possible infections
Gastroenteritis. The Nakasongola district health officer said this could be the disease affecting the people.
What is it? It is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, involving the stomach, intestines, or both; usually resulting in diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and possibly vomiting.
Cause. There are many causes of gastroenteritis; the most numerous cases are caused by viruses, bacteria and other agents.
Severity. It is not a serious illness unless the affected person becomes dehydrated or an elderly person becomes infected.
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