Cholera kills eight in Pallisa district
Jun 19, 2008
A total of eight people have died of cholera in Pallisa district and 108 others admitted in various health centres. The epidemic has been reported in Buseta, Kasodo, Agule, Apopong and Gogonyo sub-counties.
By Francis Okiror
and Jonathan Angura
A total of eight people have died of cholera in Pallisa district and 108 others admitted in various health centres. The epidemic has been reported in Buseta, Kasodo, Agule, Apopong and Gogonyo sub-counties.
The deceased were identified as Isaac Olupot, 60, of Ogiroi village, Akirama Mwagale, 2 and Bosco Kibwangata, 7, both of Nankodo village, Joseph Mugoda, 2, of Adodoi and Dorothy Saana, 60, of Munsambya village.
Others are Ezefina Namwajja, 35, of Kabolwa, Florence Amongin, 58, of Angod village and 55-year-old Angella Kalegere of Buseta village.
The district health officer, Dr. Andrew Namonyo, said the first cases were reported about three weeks ago in Nankodo village in Buseta.
Namonyo said Joseph Wabwire, a resident, was treated in Pallisa Hospital and discharged, but two people, who visited him, died later.
He said after the deaths, samples of stool taken from the patients were sent to the government chemist in Wandegeya, Kampala where it was confirmed they had cholera.
Namonyo said patients were admitted in Pallisa hospital, Kasasira, Agule, Kasodo and Kibuku health centres.
He added that an isolation treatment centre had been established in Pallisa Hospital and the necessary drugs, protective gear for the health workers and other logistics provided.
Similar treatment centres would be established in the other health centres, he said.
Namonyo said teams from the district health department, had embarked on first aid treatment, referral services and health education in affected areas.
Hygiene and sanitation practices were also being taught, he added.
Namonyo said tests carried out on boreholes and spring wells in Nankodo village revealed that the water was contaminated with faecal matter and germs that cause cholera. The water sources have been closed down, Namonyo said.
and Jonathan Angura
A total of eight people have died of cholera in Pallisa district and 108 others admitted in various health centres. The epidemic has been reported in Buseta, Kasodo, Agule, Apopong and Gogonyo sub-counties.
The deceased were identified as Isaac Olupot, 60, of Ogiroi village, Akirama Mwagale, 2 and Bosco Kibwangata, 7, both of Nankodo village, Joseph Mugoda, 2, of Adodoi and Dorothy Saana, 60, of Munsambya village.
Others are Ezefina Namwajja, 35, of Kabolwa, Florence Amongin, 58, of Angod village and 55-year-old Angella Kalegere of Buseta village.
The district health officer, Dr. Andrew Namonyo, said the first cases were reported about three weeks ago in Nankodo village in Buseta.
Namonyo said Joseph Wabwire, a resident, was treated in Pallisa Hospital and discharged, but two people, who visited him, died later.
He said after the deaths, samples of stool taken from the patients were sent to the government chemist in Wandegeya, Kampala where it was confirmed they had cholera.
Namonyo said patients were admitted in Pallisa hospital, Kasasira, Agule, Kasodo and Kibuku health centres.
He added that an isolation treatment centre had been established in Pallisa Hospital and the necessary drugs, protective gear for the health workers and other logistics provided.
Similar treatment centres would be established in the other health centres, he said.
Namonyo said teams from the district health department, had embarked on first aid treatment, referral services and health education in affected areas.
Hygiene and sanitation practices were also being taught, he added.
Namonyo said tests carried out on boreholes and spring wells in Nankodo village revealed that the water was contaminated with faecal matter and germs that cause cholera. The water sources have been closed down, Namonyo said.