Typhoid kills 7 in Kapchorwa
Mar 22, 2008
At least seven people have died of typhoid after drinking contaminated tap water in Kapchorwa district.
By Josephine Maseruka
At least seven people have died of typhoid after drinking contaminated tap water in Kapchorwa district.
A report released by a technical team that visited the district, indicates that these deaths occurred during the last seven weeks. A total of 11 typhoid cases have so far been reported in Kapchorwa town. They had similar symptoms, which include; high fever and stomach pain. Those who died were found to have numerous perforated intestines and pus in the tummy.
According to Vincent Ojoome, the Medical Superintendent of Mbale Hospital, the Water Department in Mbale tested samples of water and found that the tap water in towns was contaminated by the sewage.
“We have contamination in the area and the District Health Inspector and his team are sensitising people on washing hands after visiting toilets, boiling drinking water and proper disposal of rubbish,†he said.
The health state minister, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala said that being a mountainous area, the people of Kapchorwa usually don’t make deep pit latrines. Consequently faeces easily find a way into water sources. He advised them to ensure that the pit latrines are deep enough.
Anthens Simikwo, the NRM Administrative secretary in Kapchorwa, said that although no new cases have been reported recently, the people are very scared of the disease and local leaders have been using funerals and other public gatherings to sensitise the people about hygiene and the killer disease.
At least seven people have died of typhoid after drinking contaminated tap water in Kapchorwa district.
A report released by a technical team that visited the district, indicates that these deaths occurred during the last seven weeks. A total of 11 typhoid cases have so far been reported in Kapchorwa town. They had similar symptoms, which include; high fever and stomach pain. Those who died were found to have numerous perforated intestines and pus in the tummy.
According to Vincent Ojoome, the Medical Superintendent of Mbale Hospital, the Water Department in Mbale tested samples of water and found that the tap water in towns was contaminated by the sewage.
“We have contamination in the area and the District Health Inspector and his team are sensitising people on washing hands after visiting toilets, boiling drinking water and proper disposal of rubbish,†he said.
The health state minister, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala said that being a mountainous area, the people of Kapchorwa usually don’t make deep pit latrines. Consequently faeces easily find a way into water sources. He advised them to ensure that the pit latrines are deep enough.
Anthens Simikwo, the NRM Administrative secretary in Kapchorwa, said that although no new cases have been reported recently, the people are very scared of the disease and local leaders have been using funerals and other public gatherings to sensitise the people about hygiene and the killer disease.