Cholera Strikes Nebbi

THERE has been an outbreak of cholera in Nebbi. According to the Epidemiological report for the week ending February 24, Nebbi district reported nine suspected cases of cholera with three of them dying.This is the first time there is cholera in the district this year and investigations are still going on to confirm the outbreak.Other districts that have had cholera this year are Bundibugyo, Hoima (five cases) and Masindi.Dysentery posed a major threat this week, especially in the northern and eastern regions.Cases from the northern region were reported by Gulu (137), Arua (54), Adjumani (51), Pader (43) and Yumbe (34).In the East, Moroto reported the highest number. With 99 cases of dysentery, Moroto district was followed by Tororo (56), Nakapiripirit (30) and Mbale (25).There were also cases of dysentery reported by Kisoro (60), Masindi (17), Nakasongola (27) and Kiboga (29). Analysts of the report say poor sanitation and personal hygiene are the major contributing factors to this situation.The South-western region continued to report a relatively high number of malaria cases especially in the districts of Kabale (4,698), Bushenyi (4,550) and Ntungamo (4,367).The highest number of deaths due to malaria were reported by Iganga (22 deaths out of 1,113 cases), Mbale (11 out of 3,282), Mubende (8 out of 1,151), Kitgum (6 out of 1295) and Soroti (6 out of 1,325). Masaka district recorded a reduction in measles from 43 cases last week to 10 this week. The district has however, been experiencing “on and off” upsurges in measles cases over the last five weeks. Other districts where cases of measles were reported are Tororo (36 ), Mbale (29), Mayuge (24), Kisoro (22), Luwero (22), Kabarole (19) and Iganga (17). A total of 29 sporadic cases of suspected meningococcal meningitis were reported by 14 districts, but with no laboratory confirmation. Other conditions include typhoid fever (in 14 districts), neonatal tetanus (in 7 districts), plague (7 cases with 3 deaths in Nebbi). Compiled by Epidemiological Surveillance Division, Ministry of HealthEnds