Cholera cases drop

Jul 21, 2008

THE cholera epidemic that hit parts of eastern region early last month is gradually reducing. The disease mainly affected Pallisa, Mbale and Butaleja districts.

By Daniel Edyegu

THE cholera epidemic that hit parts of eastern region early last month is gradually reducing. The disease mainly affected Pallisa, Mbale and Butaleja districts.

Bernard Ikwaras, the Pallisa disease surveillance officer, said only one cholera patient was currently admitted at Kasasira health centre.

A total of 181 cholera cases have been registered since May. Nine of them died.

Three health centres, including Agule, Kasodo and Kasasira, were gazetted to treat cholera patients.

“Apart from Kasasira health centre where we have one patient, the other two health centres are now free. I am optimistic that within the next two weeks, the disease will be a thing of the past in Pallisa,” Ikwaras said on Friday.

He also said the district had launched a home-to-home campaign to step up pit latrine coverage. Defaulters were fined a goat.

Ikwaras added that the district distributed water purification tablets to all households in the affected sub-counties of Buseta, Agule and Kasodo.

Dr. Kenneth Mweru, the Butaleja health officer, said only one patient was presently admitted at the Nabiganda health centre, which was gazetted for treatment of the disease.

“We haven’t received a new case throughout this week. But we are not taking chances. Our health taskforce led by the district chairman, Richard Waya, is still visiting communities, educating people on ways of preventing the disease.”

Mweru said out of 136 cases registered in Butaleja district since the breakout of the disease in May, seven patients had died.

The Mbale district health officer, Dr. Francis Abwaimo, said three patients were still admitted at Busiu health centre.

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