Jiggers, small flea-like insects, can burrow into a human body--usually through the feet--and cause skin and body parts to rot away. This is the health crisis currently facing Uganda. More than 20,000 Ugandans have been affected by jiggers in the last two months. James Kakooza, Uganda's minister of state for primary health care, said that those most susceptible to dying from jiggers are young children, adults who are battling other diseases, and the elderly. Most of the affected from jiggers cannot walk, let alone work. Jiggers are found most prevalently in places of poor sanitary conditions. Twelve districts in Uganda have been affected, but the most affected part of the country is the Busoga region, east of Kampala. Uganda has allocated $1 million to fight the epidemic.
-Abbey Smith
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