Cholera kills 8 in Nebbi

By Benedict Okethwengu

 At least eight people have been confirmed dead and over 150 others admitted in various health units following the outbreak of cholera in Nebbi district.

According to the survey carried by New Vision online the last Thursday, most of the victims affected by the disease are women and children.

Philbert Otto Acaye, the in-charge Akworo health center III said six people have been killed and 74 others have been admitted at the health center in the past one week.

It was at Akworo health center that the first case of cholera was reported Saturday last week before spreading to the neighboring sub-counties of Panyimur, Parombo and Pakwach sub-county.

Acaye identified the dead as Nyayenga O, 8, Mungucwiyo, 10, both from Olando village, Anjelina Adoko, 65, of Pongo village, Obedmoth David, 29 a Congolese national and the other two who he could not identify because they died en route to the health facility.

At Dei health center III in Panyimur sub-county, Kimo Henry, the In-charge said two people have so died of the disease, and he expressed concern that the death toll is likely to rise due to shortage of drugs at the cetre.

He identified the dead as Walter Omirambe, 22 and Evelyn Omirambe, 69, all resident of a resident of Dei B in Panyimur sub-county.

Serephine Alia, the Nebbi Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) also confirmed the death of the patients when contacted by New Vision online.

“So far eight people have been confirmed dead in the various health centers and over 150 admitted since the outbreak of the disease last week,” he said.

Nebbi district had reported the last case of cholera in 2007 and it was attributed to poor sanitation and hygiene but the recent outbreak has left both the politicians and the technocrats in the district baffled about the origin of the disease.

Shaban Ofoy, the Panyimur sub-county LC3 chairperson argued that the disease could have originated from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“We are just victim of our neighbor DRC, we are told there is also an outbreak of cholera in the country and because the people of Congo move here at will. We are just at liberty of acquiring the disease,” he said.

But Serephine Alia had a differing opinion.

“We are suffering from cholera because most of our homes including leaders have no toilets and washing facilities and that means we are simply eating feces,” he said.

The leaders in the district are now battling with how to contain the situation amid shortage of drugs and facilities

Robert Okumu, the Nebbi district LC5 has appealed to the different stakeholders to intervene to avert the situation.

“We have written to ministry of health and we hope they are going to respond positively otherwise the situation is getting out of hand. We also appeal to other stakeholders to come to our rescue,” he said.