New cholera strain kills 56 people

Aug 07, 2005

KAMPALA, Friday — A rare strain of the cholera bacteria has killed 56 people and infected 2,200 others in several areas of Uganda during the past four months, health ministry officials said on Friday.

KAMPALA, Friday — A rare strain of the cholera bacteria has killed 56 people and infected 2,200 others in several areas of Uganda during the past four months, health ministry officials said on Friday.

“We have been hit by an unusual cholera strain that has not been commonly observed in Uganda,” Sam Zaramba, acting director of health services, said.
“It is a new entrant and we are warning the public to be more vigilant because the immunity developed by people could be too weak to fight the new strain,” he added.

A statement issued by the ministry of health said the population was likely to be highly susceptible and that if treatment was not sought “the outcome could be severe.”

“It has affected 11 districts. Task forces have been instituted at the district level and we are collaborating with a number of international agencies,” Zaramba said.

He said poor sanitation and low personal hygiene were the main risk factors in the spread of the disease.

Inadequate use of latrines and the consumption of uncooked food and unboiled water were common problems, he said.

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