By KT Reporter
Health Officials in Lamwo District have reported no new cases of cholera for the past 15 days in Agoro Subcounty, marking a major success in the fight against the disease.
While health officials haven’t yet declared the district cholera-free, the success comes as a relief to authorities that have been battling the disease since January 9, when it was first declared.
At least one community death was registered, and 106 cases were confirmed from the parishes of Ngacino, Poba, Laruc, Lopulingi, Lorunya, and Pawac, all in Agoro Sub-county.
Dr Denis Omoya Ochula, the Lamwo District Health Officer, told Uganda Radio Network that the success in fighting the disease is attributed to the swift intervention measures that included mass sensitization, intensified sanitation efforts and improved access to clean water.
Dr Ochula noted that the ban on the use of water from the river Okura and the river Amok by community members, which were found to be contaminated with cholera bacteria, played a major role in scaling down the spread of the disease.
According to him, the last cases were discharged on March 16 from Agoro Health Center III, where the patients had been receiving medical treatment.
Dr Ochula noted that a team of environmental health officers are currently continuing with sensitizing the community members about the need to improve their household hygiene and have in place proper sanitation facilities.
To prevent a further surge of the waterborne disease, the district authorities have also maintained an earlier restriction on large weekly and monthly market gatherings in Agoro Sub-county.
William Komakech, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner who also doubles as the chairperson Cholera taskforce, noted that restrictions on large market gatherings and use of Okura and Amok rivers will be extended for another month. This, he said, will only be lifted when health workers find it safe.
Komakech stressed that they have already informed the health ministry about the progressive success in fighting the disease, adding that they expect to have the district declared free of cholera soon if no cases are registered in the coming days.
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread through contaminated water and food, usually in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, which, if left untreated, can cause death of a patient-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
