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Published Date: 2011-12-15 01:19:35
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Cholera - Uganda (03): (Kasese)
Archive Number: 20111215.237258

CHOLERA - UGANDA (03): (KASESE)
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Date: Mon 12 Dec 2011
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda) [edited]
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1288010/-/bg4kutz/-/index.html

Cholera has persisted in Kasese District despite several efforts to
avert the disease after almost 2 months of a fresh outbreak. The
upsurge of cholera in the area has been attributed to lack of clean
water and proper sanitation facilities coupled with the current
downpour and high level of immigrants. The 1st cases were confirmed
on 23 Oct 2011 at Kayanzi Landing Site in Nyakiyumbu Sub-county and
Mpondwe Lubiriha Town Council.

Later, more cases were reported in other parts of the district and by
last week [week ending 11 Dec 2011], 100 cases had been registered.
The Uganda Red Cross Society Kasese branch manager, Dr Mike
Mukirania, said 5 people have died since October 2011.

On 11 Nov 2011, district authorities summoned all sub-county chiefs
and LC [Local Council] chairpersons to a crisis meeting at Rukoki.
Among the resolutions made was a 2-week ultimatum to anyone who had a
poor or no pit-latrine at their homes to construct one. However, the
2 weeks elapsed but reports suggest that there is no improvement.

The Kasese assistant Chief Administrative officer, Ms Rehema Muhindo,
has urged leaders to arrest residents who lack pit-latrines or have
those in a poor state. Sale of fresh foods and juices on highways and
open markets in the district were banned last month [November 2011]
but this has only been implemented in Nyamwamba Division.

In Lake Katwe Sub-county, authorities have arrested 9 roadside meat
and plantain sellers. At Kasese Municipal Health Centre, health
workers have twice laid down their tools in fear of being attacked by
cholera. The municipality health inspector, Mr Louis Muhwezi, said if
funds are provided, the health and sanitation problem would be improved soon.

[Byline: Thembo Kahungu Misairi]

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Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
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[The cholera cases in Kasese district in western Uganda at the border
with the Democratic Republic of Congo, have increased by 50 cases
since our last update (see PRO/EAFR archive no 20111108.234963).

Local health authorities continue engaged in the affected communities
to address the underlying causes including the inadequate sanitation
facilities, poor food hygiene, and inadequate access to safe water. A
combination of health education on cholera prevention and enforcement
of public health standards should make an impact on the current
trends if efforts are sustained.

A map of Uganda, can be accessed at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Uganda. Kasese District
can be located via the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at
http://healthmap.org/r/1pSs. - Mod.JFW]

See Also