Cholera Strikes Eight Ugandan Districts: Health Ministry

Cholera strikes eight Ugandan districts: health ministry

KAMPALA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) — Uganda’s Health Ministry has sounded a cholera alert informing the general public that the disease is still being reported in eight districts of the country, according to a report from Radio Uganda on Friday.

The Director General of health services from the ministry, Sam Okware said in a press release that eight districts which reported cholera cases are Kampala, Hoima, Masindi, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kotido, Arua and Nebbi.

He said eight new cases have been confirmed in Kampala this week.

“Kampala City Council has opened a new cholera treatment center at Komamboga Health Center to manage all cholera patients in the city,” said Okware.

He advised the public to be on the alert and to report any suspected cases to the nearest health unit.

“Cholera is a serious disease characterized by profuse diarrhea and vomiting. It kills in a short time. It is spread through eating food or taking drinks contaminated with feces containing cholera germs,” he said.

He therefore calls upon the public to observe strict hygiene by, among other things, washing hands with soap before preparing, serving and eating food and after using the latrine.