The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), On Tuesday 19th April warned that Malaria cases in districts across the country could surge out of proportion due to the onset of the rainy season.
According to George William Omony, a senior meteorologist at the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) most parts of the country are expected to receive near normal to above-average rainfall, starting this week.
Meteorologists stated that as the country starts to receive near normal to above-average rainfall, there is likely to be a surge in cases of Malaria. This is because waterlogged areas are ideal places for the breeding of the female Anopheles mosquito, the vector that carries Malaria.
An increase in the waterlogged mosquito breeding grounds will most likely lead to an increase in female anopheles mosquitoes hence an increase in Malaria cases.
Ugandans have also been warned of the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery due to the discharge of contaminated rainwater into water bodies.
UNMA has urged households to sleep under Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets, boil drinking water and avoid consumption of undercooked foodstuffs, especially water-based foods.
The Metrologists blamed the current poor rainfall performance in the country on the negative effects of Seas to Surface Temperature and the Indian Ocean Dipole that left most parts of Eastern Africa dry while the southern parts are wet.
