Panic as two children with suspected measles die at Lira Hospital

22 July 2025, 10:55 am

By Baker Okello

Panic has gripped parts of the Lango sub-region following the deaths of two children suspected to have suffered from a measles-related skin disease at Lira Regional Referral Hospital on Sunday.

In a private interview with our reporter, Dr Andrew Odur, the hospital’s acting director, confirmed the incident. He said the two children were among seven admitted last week with symptoms consistent with measles.

Dr Odur explained that the children died before results from their blood samples, which had been sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, could be returned, leaving health workers in shock.

According to Dr Odur, the seven admitted children were being treated in the hospital’s isolation ward. Five of the cases are from Lira District, while the remaining two came from Alebtong and Kole Districts, respectively.

Health surveillance has been heightened in the affected areas as authorities await confirmation from the national reference laboratory.