37 cholera cases registered in Chikwawa
A cholera outbreak has hit Chikwawa District with 37 cases registered from August.
The Daily Times crew that visited the district noticed a tent where suspected patients have been quarantined to prevent further spread of the disease.
Chikwawa District Health Office (DHO) spokesperson, Settie Piriminta, said the cases have come from areas of traditional authorities Katunga, Kasisi and Mlilima and Chikwawa Secondary School.
No death has been reported so far.
According to www.webmd.com, cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated
Piriminta said, as a way of curbing the outbreak, Chikwawa DHO will next week administer oral cholera vaccine to about 200, 000 people.
“The vaccine provides immunity against the disease for a period of five years. To be immune for five years, one must get the vaccine twice. You get the first dose and get another one after two weeks. If you only get one dose, then you become immune for just two years.
“Mostly, cholera comes from lack of hygiene. The people should not abandon good hygienic practices when they get vaccinated because this only increases immunity,” he said.
Some organisations have started intervening to mitigate the effects of the outbreak, and one organisation, United Purpose, donated 1000 fitted with taps to Chikwawa DHO.
United Purpose Wash Programme Manager, Smoden Tomoka, said the situation in the district calls for immediate interventions.
“We have communicated to the District Health Office to distribute buckets in schools, markets, clinics and all public places to improve sanitation in the district,” he said.
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