Four Dead, 25 Admitted As Cholera Hits Hoima And Buliisa

Cholera patients being treated in one of the health centers

Two people have died and 19 others are receiving treatment following a suspected cholera outbreak in Buseruka Sub County, Hoima district.

The District Health Inspector (DHI) Fredrick Byenume says the outbreak has been reported at Kijangi landing site, Tonya parish, along the shores of Lake Albert.

Byenume identified the deceased as Onenchan (30) and Aliwaawe (32) who are residents of Kijangi landing site.

This fresh outbreak was reported last week and two people were reported dead on Sunday August 4.

Byenume said that the duo died after suffering from a running stomach, high fever, general body weakness and dehydration and all these are signs of Cholera.

Byenume further said that a treatment centre has been established at Kijangi landing site where the 19 patients are being treated.

“Although samples are yet to be taken for a laboratory test in Kampala, all the clinical signs point to Cholera,” said Byenume.

In the neighboring district of Buliisa, two people were reported dead in Butiaba Sub County.

Robert Mugabe, the District Health Officer said that six others are on treatment with signs of Cholera.

This is the second Cholera outbreak in the two districts this year. In April, three people died while sixteen others were treated in Kigorobya Sub County. About 30 cholera cases were registered in Buliisa district the same month.

The Lake Albert shoreline is Cholera prone at the start of the rainy season. Health officials attribute the problem to poor hygiene and sanitation standards in the area.