Cholera, plague in Nebbi

Cholera and plague in Nebbi, measles in the east, dysentery in the north. This is the summary of the disease situation in the country.Two people in Nebbi died of cholera, out of six who contracted it during the week ending March 3, 2002. This was an increase from one case the previous week. Bundibugyo and Hoima districts also reported cholera. Dysentery continued to increase especially in the north and east. Poor sanitation and personal hygiene have been identified as the major factors. Gulu had 300 cases, Moyo 92, Adjumani 65 and Arua 60. Tororo had 60 dysentry cases, Pader had 53, Yumbe 49, Kitgum 45, Mayuge 43 and Moroto 42.Though malaria reduced in most districts, numbers remained high in Ntungamo (4,943 cases), Kabale (4,775), Mbale (3,745), Wakiso (3,722), Mbarara (3,500) and Tororo (3,185). This calls for better management of patients and community sensitisation. A number of districts had high numbers of measles cases. Mbale had 41 cases, Wakiso 38, Jinja 26, Mayuge 25 and Tororo 23. Health officials in these districts need to step up mass immunisation, health education and routine immunisation. A total of 19 cases suspected to be meningococcal meningitis were reported compared to 37 cases countrywide the previous week. Districts in the northern region are particularly urged to intensify surveillance following reports of confirmed Meningococcal meningitis cases in Southern Sudan.Other conditions reported include seven cases of plague (in Nebbi), animal bites, (in 34 districts), acute flaccid paralysis (in Mubende and Jinja).For more details contact: The Epidemiological Surveillance Division- M.O.H P.O BOX 7272 Kampala. Tel: 041-340874/077-624446. Fax: 041-345108E-mail- esd@afsat.com / esd2@infocom.co.ugends