Strange Throat Disease Reported in Gulu

A strange throat disease is causing panic among residents of Gulu district. The disease manifests with an itchy throat, which later develops into swelling and pain leading to difficulties in breathing and black mucus discharge.

The disease was first reported among more than six people in Paibona Sub County last month. The affected people are mostly aged sixty years and above. Local authorities and residents in the area say that sixty-two-year-old Alfred Odera who presented with the throat ailment died last week.

Three more patients with the same condition are being monitored at Awach Health Centre IV. Remos Oyaka, the deceased`s brother told URN that Odera first complained of pain in his throat, which later swell. This was in the subsequent week followed by a mucus discharge.

He explained that when his brother`s condition worsened, the family took him to Awach Health Centre IV from where he was referred to Mulago Regional Referral Hospital where he died from.

According to Odera, health workers at Awach Health Centre IV told the family that the condition was unique and they could not treat it prompting the referral to Kampala.  Richard Opiro, whose brother Okello Alwinya is admitted with the same condition at Awach Health Centre IV, says that this is the first time that they have witnessed such a disease.

Hellen Apiyo, a resident of Paibona Sub County, says that the strange disease has triggered fear among residents. She asked the Gulu district health department to undertake immediateate research into the condition before more people contract it as witnessed.

William Onyai, the Gulu District Health Educator, confirmed the strange throat disease, saying they were yet to take samples from the patients for further investigations.