{Seven people have been confirmed dead and twenty others hospitalised as cholera breaks out in Wakiso district.}
Dr. Robert Kagwire, the district acting health officer, said the epidemic struck parts of Kitufu and Zinga Islands in Bussi Sub county, Masulita town and Nabweru in Nansana Municipality.
He said the dead included a one -year-old boy and his mother Solome Kagabane, 33. Kagwire said they died two weeks ago and that the first person to die was in Masulita Sub-county and others were on the Islands.
Kagwire, who announced this during the two- day tour of the affected areas, blamed the cholera outbreak on poor sanitation and lack of toilet facilities in the district.
During the tour, Kagwire said they also heard that 67 people had reported to different health centres in the areas with signs and symptoms associated with cholera.
“Two weeks ago we got complaints from Nabweru where a child was rushed to the Nabweru health centre IV. She was treated and she is okay. So we have managed to treat a number of them although 20 are still admitted at different health centres on the Islands,” he said.
He said they were monitoring the situation closely to prevent the disease from spreading.
Facts about Cholera
Cholera is an acute, diarrhoea illness caused by a bacterial infection of the intestine.
The infection can be mild or severe.
About one in 20 infected people gets watery diarrhoea, vomiting and leg cramps.
Rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.
{{How cholera is spread}}
By drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacteria
In an epidemic, the source of contamination is usually the faeces of an infected person
The disease spreads rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.
Shellfish eaten raw can also be a source of cholera
The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another, therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk.
{{Precautions}}
Drink only boiled water or that treated with chlorine
Safer beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled water and carbonated bottled beverages with no ice
Eat food that is thoroughly cooked and is still hot
Peel fruits and wash them with boiled water
Avoid undercooked, raw fish or shellfish
Make sure all vegetables are cooked and avoid raw salads.
Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors.
SOURCE:THE NEW VISION:[Seven killed as Cholera breaks out in Wakiso->http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/676636-seven-killed-as-cholera-breaks-out-in-wakiso.html]
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