The number of people who have died of cholera in Mbale has risen to 13 since the outbreak of the disease in the district in February this year, as the authorities report a decline in the infection cases.
Four more people have died since early April when the district authorities reported 9 deaths.
Sister Jennifer Wandawa, Mbale District Disease Surveillance Coordinator says six of these were registered from the two Cholera Isolation and Treatment Centers at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and Namatala Health center III, while seven others died from the community.
She explains that since the outbreak on February 12th, they have registered a total of 267 cases.
//Cue in: “So far we had 267 patients….
Cue out: ….which we targeted for.”//
Sister Wandawa says in the last 3-4 weeks they have registered a tremendous decline in the cases citing concerted efforts by the district, ministry of health and partners to fight the epidemic.
She says in the last three weeks, they registered only one case from Wanale division that was admitted and discharged from Namatala Isolation and Treatment Center on Thursday.
She says all the three Isolation centers of Busio, Namatala and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital are now left empty without any patient but that they are active for any new cases that may emerge.
//Cue in: “For the last three weeks….
Cue out: …..almost closing the CTC.”//
When Uganda Radio Network reporter visited the treatment centers at Mbale Hospital and Namatala on Friday, the admission wards looked virtually empty but a team from Uganda Red Cross Society and Medicines Sans Frontiers, a medical charity organisation, have setup their camps there.
Despite of the decline, however, Sister Wandawa warned the public to be vigilant in keeping up their hygiene and sanitation saying the cholera epidemic is still there.
//Cue in: “The cholera is still on….
Cue out: …...should not compromise.”//
She also says the cholera task force structure including the rapid response and case management teams are still active and any suspected cases should be reported immediately.
Mbale district has for the past three months been hit by an outbreak of cholera in the areas of Namakwekwe, Namatala, Wanale, Namengo, Moni, Wanyonyi and Busamaga in Mbale Municipality among others.
The outbreak has been blamed on poor sanitation which resulted from limited water supply.
