Cholera outbreak in Adjumani

ADJUMANI.

Ministry of Health has confirmed a cholera outbreak in Pagirinya refugee settlement, Dzaipi sub-county in Adjumani District.

Adjumani District Health Officer (DHO), Ms Ann Adunia in an interview with Daily Monitor on Tuesday said, the samples they sent to the government laboratory confirmed that there is cholera in the refugee settlement camp.

Last week health officials in Adjumani sent some samples from patients diagnosed with acute diarrhea to Central Public Health Laboratory in Kampala and the samples tested positive to cholera.

"Officials from the Ministry of Health over the weekend confirmed cholera outbreak in the district, initially we were handling the cases as acute watery diarrhea” Ms Adunia said.

Ms Adania said, DHO’s office with support from the health implementing partners, have embarked on cholera awareness campaign on local FM radio stations and public gatherings.

She said previously 40 people were admitted at Pagirinya health centre, but currently there are 15 patients left in the isolation center since the rest have been discharged after treatment.

"Most of the patients brought at the isolation centre were vomiting, dehydrated while other had diarrhea, but we have managed to treat them,"

She advised residents to observe personal hygiene and embrace the use of pit latrines.

Ms Adania added that they have shut down several food joints which have failed to maintain the required health standards to avoid further spread of the diseases.

Mr Titus Jogo, the Adjumani refugee desk officer confirmed that, the sanitation condition at Pagirinya refugee settlement is wanting, adding that the situation becomes worse when it rains.

“Some of the refugees have a negative attitude towards the use of the latrine as they prefer open defecation. We shall work with the partners to carry out massive sensitization on the benefits of latrine usage” Mr Jogo said.