Gulu — The start of the rainy season may worsen the spread of Hepatitis E, Gulu district disease surveillance officer Michael Cankara has said.

The warning comes at a time when the disease has claimed over 106 lives and infected over 6000 in various parts of northern Uganda with Kitgum being the epicentre.

"The sewer lines in Gulu have been connected to storm water and this water flows to unprotected wells that people use for drinking," Mr Cankara told Daily Monitor in an interview.

Hepatitis E is a liver disease that is spread through eating or drinking germ contaminated substances. Mr Cankara said, "Since the disease struck Gulu, 16 cases have been confirmed, six were positive and two of them died in Lacor Hospital. It has even spread to the municipality now."