NEWS: Cholera kills two in Busia

Cholera kills two in Busia

from MONITOR ONLINE

Two people in Busia have died of cholera. Four others are undergoing treatment at Busia Red Cross Health Unit IV, Daily Monitor has learnt.One of the deceased was identified as Ibrahim Ojuku, who died on July 10. The other who was not be identified by press time reportedly died at Majengo Private Clinic in Busia. Officials at the clinic denied the death claims but eye witnesses confirmed it to Daily Monitor.The District Health Officer, Dr Oundo Bwire, confirmed the outbreak of the disease over the weekend. Dr Bwire said specimen have been taken to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for examination.The officer- in-charge of the Red Cross Health Centre IV, Mr Wabwire Omolo named those undergoing treatment as Thabe Nambozo, a student of Manafa Secondary School in Manafwa District and Joyce Phiant, a student of St. John Secondary School in Busia. Others are Florence Akumu, Wycliffe Lubezi and one called Kafiri. Mr Omolo said the affected areas are Arubaine, Nangwe, Custom, villages,all in Busia Town Council. Mr Wabwire said although the conditions of the patients have improved, they cannot be discharged for fear that they will spread the disease.Residents accused town council authorities of failure to collect garbage, leading to the spread of the disease. However, the mayor, Mr Michael Mugeni, denied the accusations, saying he had improved hygiene in the town, which according to him was in a poor state when he came to office.