Meningitis hits West Nile
Jan 24, 2007
WHEREAS a number of districts are free of meningitis, Kotido, Koboko and Arua are not safe.
By Harriette Onyalla
WHEREAS a number of districts are free of meningitis, Kotido, Koboko and Arua are not safe.
The Ministry of Health has announced that since mid-December, 342 new cases of meningitis have been reported in the West Nile region.
According to a statement signed by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Okware, the disease has claimed 22 lives.
He said the most affected district is Arua where 11 people have been confirmed dead and 162 cases reported.
Koboko is second with eight deaths and 129 cases.
Okware said 25 cases have been reported in Yumbe and 26 cases and three deaths in Adjumani district.
“There is a decline of the disease in Kotido. Only 39 new cases have been reported in the last two weeks with no deaths,†he said.
Okware said an outbreak of a disease caused by meningitis bacteria type A has been reported in South Sudan. He urged the public to remain calm, saying the vaccine for the disease is available.
A joint team from the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund and MSF is supporting the affected districts.
Meningitis patients are being treated from Koboko, Omugo and Siripi health centres and Yumbe and Maracha hospitals.
The disease causes fever, severe headache and stiff neck.
If not treated, it leads to death.
WHEREAS a number of districts are free of meningitis, Kotido, Koboko and Arua are not safe.
The Ministry of Health has announced that since mid-December, 342 new cases of meningitis have been reported in the West Nile region.
According to a statement signed by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Okware, the disease has claimed 22 lives.
He said the most affected district is Arua where 11 people have been confirmed dead and 162 cases reported.
Koboko is second with eight deaths and 129 cases.
Okware said 25 cases have been reported in Yumbe and 26 cases and three deaths in Adjumani district.
“There is a decline of the disease in Kotido. Only 39 new cases have been reported in the last two weeks with no deaths,†he said.
Okware said an outbreak of a disease caused by meningitis bacteria type A has been reported in South Sudan. He urged the public to remain calm, saying the vaccine for the disease is available.
A joint team from the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund and MSF is supporting the affected districts.
Meningitis patients are being treated from Koboko, Omugo and Siripi health centres and Yumbe and Maracha hospitals.
The disease causes fever, severe headache and stiff neck.
If not treated, it leads to death.