Adjumani records suspected cholera case

Parents attend to cholera patients at Dei Health Centre in Nebbi District recently. A suspected case of cholera has been reported in neighbouring Adjumani District. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO.

ADJUMANI- A suspected case of cholera has been reported at Nyumanzi Health Centre II in Dzaipi Sub-county, Adjumani District.

This came after a 17-year-old South Sudanese refugee living in Nyumanzi Settlement Block D was admitted to the health facility on Monday with symptoms of the disease.

Mr Joshua Amandu, the officer in-charge of the health centre, said at the time of the admission, the patient was passing out watery stool and vomiting but said his condition had fairly improved. “We are keeping him in isolation ward to avoid the spread of the disease to other people,” he said.

The district health officer, Ms Ann Adunia, said they have collected a specimen from the patient and it has already been sent to Kampala for further examination.

“As a prevention measure, we shall embark on sensitising the residents through radio messages and talk-shows. It is our prayer that the specimen tests negative.”

However, a health worker at Adjumani Hospital who preferred anonymity disclosed that rapid test carried out indicated the patient was cholera positive.

Preventive measures
Mr Titus Jogo, the Adjumani refugee desk officer, said with the onset of the rainy season, it is inevitable to get such cases.

“We are aware that the weather has changed but we are working closely with all the health implementers to curb any diseases both in refugee settlement camps and the host communities,” Mr Jogo said.