In order to fight the outbreak of measles disease, Katakwi district has intensified campaigns for the upcoming Measles and Rubella diseases immunization scheduled for 1st – 5th October 2026.

According to health department reports, Katakwi district is one of the other districts in Teso that the ministry of health has identified as a measles outbreak, with 5 deaths recorded in four sub counties of Getom, Katakwi, Usuk, and Guyaguya, among other also Seven other children have also been confirmed to have measles but are being managed by health workers.

Rapheal Ojakal, the secretary of education, health, and social services, stated that the campaigns have begun with health education campaigns, illness coordination meetings, and meetings with VHTs and health workers.

As a result, Ojakal rallied neighbors to support the Measles and Rubella mass immunization exercise, which requires all children aged zero to five years to be immunized.

Measles is caused by the measles virus (genus Morbillivirus), which is an airborne disease that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks. Even after the individual with measles has left the room, airborne droplets can stay there for up to two hours. Droplets can also land on surfaces that have been touched.