By Jeff Andrew Lule

A cholera epidemic has hit six villages in Dei parish, Panyimur sub-county in Nebbi district. According to the Uganda Red Cross (URC) the epidemic attacked the area this month.

The URC head of communications, Catherine Ntabadde, said the disease followed a case at Die Heath Centre II in Nebbi on January 17, where a business woman called Consolate Akum from Ogwedo village from Buliisa district was admitted at the health centre and was found with signs of excessive watery diarrhoea.

“She was later moved to her home by her relatives from where two other children in the neighbourhood of Dei and Munduryema villages developed similar symptoms and died shortly after,” Ntabadde noted.

She said medical reports indicate that it was cholera, which killed them and has eventually spread throughout the six villages of the parish and other neighbouring areas of Buliisa.

The affected villages include; Dei, Dei A, Dei B, Dei C, Dei centre and Namutangna village.

She noted that 28 cases of cholera had been registered since January when the outbreak was reported.

“Many of the cases have been discharged and only three are still admitted at Dei Health Centre II for surveillance,” she added.

URC is working together with the Ministry of Heath and district authorities to strengthen social mobilisation among the communities to combat the outbreak.

“Our officers have already embarked on social mobilisation and hygiene promotion in all the affected areas so that the outbreak can be contained.”

The volunteers are sensitising communities about symptoms and signs of cholera,” Ntabadde said.