Three die of cholera in Tororo
May 17, 2010
Three people in Kirewa sub-county in Tororo district died of cholera last Wednesday. A total of 10 others were admitted at a temporary cholera camp.
By Moses Nampala
Three people in Kirewa sub-county in Tororo district died of cholera last Wednesday. A total of 10 others were admitted at a temporary cholera camp.
The district health officer, Dr. David Okumu, on Friday said laboratory tests confirmed that the patients were suffering from cholera. The deceased and those admitted became dehydrated after severe vomiting and diarrhoea, he added.
The dead are Getrude Akumu, 48, a resident of Gulumo Zone in Kirewa sub-county, Federesi Athieno, 40, a resident of Kyawolo village and Okol Amwa, 50, also of Kirewa.
Okumu said two cholera camps had been established, one at Kirewa Health Centre III and another at Tororo Hospital. The district chief administrative officer, Felix Esoku, who is also the chairperson of the district disaster management committee, said the disease outbreak was due to floods.
“Kirewa is geographically disadvantaged as it lies in a low land area near River Manafwa,†Esoku said. He further regretted that the sub-county had a high water table belt that has always compelled residents to build shallow pit-latrines.
“During rainy seasons, the pit-latrines flood and pollute water sources,†Esoku explained. He appealed to the relevant authorities to provide the district with more drugs.
The district health team has embarked on an intensive sensitisation campaign, imploring the community to observe hygiene, Esoku added.
Three people in Kirewa sub-county in Tororo district died of cholera last Wednesday. A total of 10 others were admitted at a temporary cholera camp.
The district health officer, Dr. David Okumu, on Friday said laboratory tests confirmed that the patients were suffering from cholera. The deceased and those admitted became dehydrated after severe vomiting and diarrhoea, he added.
The dead are Getrude Akumu, 48, a resident of Gulumo Zone in Kirewa sub-county, Federesi Athieno, 40, a resident of Kyawolo village and Okol Amwa, 50, also of Kirewa.
Okumu said two cholera camps had been established, one at Kirewa Health Centre III and another at Tororo Hospital. The district chief administrative officer, Felix Esoku, who is also the chairperson of the district disaster management committee, said the disease outbreak was due to floods.
“Kirewa is geographically disadvantaged as it lies in a low land area near River Manafwa,†Esoku said. He further regretted that the sub-county had a high water table belt that has always compelled residents to build shallow pit-latrines.
“During rainy seasons, the pit-latrines flood and pollute water sources,†Esoku explained. He appealed to the relevant authorities to provide the district with more drugs.
The district health team has embarked on an intensive sensitisation campaign, imploring the community to observe hygiene, Esoku added.