Cholera death toll hits 30
AT LEAST 31 people have died of cholera and over 290 infected in the eastern districts of Butaleja, Mbale, Pallisa and Manafwa.
By Vision Reporters
AT LEAST 31 people have died of cholera and over 290 infected in the eastern districts of Butaleja, Mbale, Pallisa and Manafwa.
The health minister, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, attributed the infections to River Manafwa, which he said was contaminated from Bugobero.
The river moves through the four districts and empties its waters in the swamps in the low-lying rice-growing areas of Butaleja.
He added that the outbreak reported in the past six weeks followed the April heavy rains.
“Kachonga, Maizimasa and Butaleja sub-counties have recorded 65 cases and four deaths,†he said in a statement to Parliament yesterday.
Mallinga said they had reactivated the district cholera task forces, provided supplies and set up treatment centres.
The Government, he explained, was distributing jerrycans to the people to use instead of water pots.
“Water in pots gets contaminated when fingers are dipped in it. We are also giving out water purification tablets.â€
Pallisa has reported 110 cases and eight deaths and the most affected sub-counties were Kasodo, Buseta.
The two sub-counties, Mallinga said, had a latrine and safe water coverage of about 50%.
Mallinga said El Tor sub-type, a rare cholera strain, was common in the Middle East.
Deputy speaker Rebecca Kadaga, asked water and environment minister Maria Mutagamba if they could declare a latrine week but the minister said they did not have funds.
Reported by A. Mugisa,
Joyce Namutebi and John Odyek
AT LEAST 31 people have died of cholera and over 290 infected in the eastern districts of Butaleja, Mbale, Pallisa and Manafwa.
The health minister, Dr. Stephen Mallinga, attributed the infections to River Manafwa, which he said was contaminated from Bugobero.
The river moves through the four districts and empties its waters in the swamps in the low-lying rice-growing areas of Butaleja.
He added that the outbreak reported in the past six weeks followed the April heavy rains.
“Kachonga, Maizimasa and Butaleja sub-counties have recorded 65 cases and four deaths,†he said in a statement to Parliament yesterday.
Mallinga said they had reactivated the district cholera task forces, provided supplies and set up treatment centres.
The Government, he explained, was distributing jerrycans to the people to use instead of water pots.
“Water in pots gets contaminated when fingers are dipped in it. We are also giving out water purification tablets.â€
Pallisa has reported 110 cases and eight deaths and the most affected sub-counties were Kasodo, Buseta.
The two sub-counties, Mallinga said, had a latrine and safe water coverage of about 50%.
Mallinga said El Tor sub-type, a rare cholera strain, was common in the Middle East.
Deputy speaker Rebecca Kadaga, asked water and environment minister Maria Mutagamba if they could declare a latrine week but the minister said they did not have funds.
Reported by A. Mugisa,
Joyce Namutebi and John Odyek