Cholera kills 9 in Mbale
Jun 24, 2008
Nine people have died of cholera in Mbale since the beginning of this month, according to the district health officer, Dr. Francis Abwaimo.
By Daniel Edyegu
Nine people have died of cholera in Mbale since the beginning of this month, according to the district health officer, Dr. Francis Abwaimo.
Another five have died in Butaleja district and 65 others admitted in various health centres.
Abwaimo said 77 patients were admitted in Busiu health centre, one of the gazetted units in the district.
The disease, he noted, had affected mainly Busiu sub-county. He attributed the outbreak to the flooding of River Manafwa, where most residents draw water for domestic use.
“We have formed a health team that is educating the people on prevention of the disease. The health ministry has sent us medical equipment, including rehydration fluids, gloves and drugs,†Abwaimo said.
When The New Vision visited Busiu health centre on Monday, 12 patients lay on papyrus mats spread on beds.
Hannah Asio, a nurse, said they were receiving two to six new cases daily.
“We use the papyrus mats such that when a patient cures and is discharged, the mats are burnt and another patient occupies the bed without fear of re-infection,†Asio explained.
She identified some of the patients who died as Scovia Namutosi from Busiu and Nicholas Ongole of Bukedea district.
Other districts in eastern region that have been hit by cholera are Manafwa, Butaleja and Pallisa.
The Butaleja district health officer, Dr. Kenneth Mweru, said Kachonga and Mazimasa sub-counties were the most affected.
Health minister Dr. Stephen Mallinga on Monday visited the district and advised residents to observe hygiene.
He told them to desist from attributing cholera to witchcraft.
Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease whose symptoms include passing watery stool, vomiting and leg cramps.
It is spread through drinking water or eating food contaminated with faeces of an infected person.
Nine people have died of cholera in Mbale since the beginning of this month, according to the district health officer, Dr. Francis Abwaimo.
Another five have died in Butaleja district and 65 others admitted in various health centres.
Abwaimo said 77 patients were admitted in Busiu health centre, one of the gazetted units in the district.
The disease, he noted, had affected mainly Busiu sub-county. He attributed the outbreak to the flooding of River Manafwa, where most residents draw water for domestic use.
“We have formed a health team that is educating the people on prevention of the disease. The health ministry has sent us medical equipment, including rehydration fluids, gloves and drugs,†Abwaimo said.
When The New Vision visited Busiu health centre on Monday, 12 patients lay on papyrus mats spread on beds.
Hannah Asio, a nurse, said they were receiving two to six new cases daily.
“We use the papyrus mats such that when a patient cures and is discharged, the mats are burnt and another patient occupies the bed without fear of re-infection,†Asio explained.
She identified some of the patients who died as Scovia Namutosi from Busiu and Nicholas Ongole of Bukedea district.
Other districts in eastern region that have been hit by cholera are Manafwa, Butaleja and Pallisa.
The Butaleja district health officer, Dr. Kenneth Mweru, said Kachonga and Mazimasa sub-counties were the most affected.
Health minister Dr. Stephen Mallinga on Monday visited the district and advised residents to observe hygiene.
He told them to desist from attributing cholera to witchcraft.
Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease whose symptoms include passing watery stool, vomiting and leg cramps.
It is spread through drinking water or eating food contaminated with faeces of an infected person.