Cholera kills 9 in Kitgum, Pader camps
Jun 08, 2006
NINE people have been confirmed dead, eight of them in Kitgum district and one in Pader following an outbreak of Cholera.
By James Odong
NINE people have been confirmed dead, eight of them in Kitgum district and one in Pader following an outbreak of Cholera.
Dr. Sam Okware, the commissioner for community health in the ministry of health, however, said in a statement on Wednesday that the epidemic, which peaked mid-May, was declining.
“The ministry of health informs the general public that cholera continues to be reported in Kitgum and Pader districts. So far, nine people have been confirmed dead and the most affected camps are Agoro, Potika, Mucwini, Padibe and Kitgum Town Council,†Okware said.
He added that the ministry, had, in collaboration with the affected districts and development partners, quickly responded to the outbreak by mobilising the communities on personal hygiene and providing safe water, essential drugs and strengthening management of victims.
Okware also urged the public in the two districts to report any suspected cholera cases to the nearest health unit.
“Cholera is a serious disease characterised by profuse diarrhoea and vomiting. It kills within hours. It is spread by eating food or taking drinks contaminated with faeces containing cholera germs,†said a statement from Dr. Sam Zaramba, the director general of health services.
Okware urged the public to observe preventive measures such as avoiding washing hands from the same container, to wash hands with soap before preparing, serving and eating food and after using the latrine, boiling drinking water and eating food while it is still hot.
Other measures are disposing all faeces, including those of children, in latrines and washing fruits with clean water.
NINE people have been confirmed dead, eight of them in Kitgum district and one in Pader following an outbreak of Cholera.
Dr. Sam Okware, the commissioner for community health in the ministry of health, however, said in a statement on Wednesday that the epidemic, which peaked mid-May, was declining.
“The ministry of health informs the general public that cholera continues to be reported in Kitgum and Pader districts. So far, nine people have been confirmed dead and the most affected camps are Agoro, Potika, Mucwini, Padibe and Kitgum Town Council,†Okware said.
He added that the ministry, had, in collaboration with the affected districts and development partners, quickly responded to the outbreak by mobilising the communities on personal hygiene and providing safe water, essential drugs and strengthening management of victims.
Okware also urged the public in the two districts to report any suspected cholera cases to the nearest health unit.
“Cholera is a serious disease characterised by profuse diarrhoea and vomiting. It kills within hours. It is spread by eating food or taking drinks contaminated with faeces containing cholera germs,†said a statement from Dr. Sam Zaramba, the director general of health services.
Okware urged the public to observe preventive measures such as avoiding washing hands from the same container, to wash hands with soap before preparing, serving and eating food and after using the latrine, boiling drinking water and eating food while it is still hot.
Other measures are disposing all faeces, including those of children, in latrines and washing fruits with clean water.