Call for control measures as cholera hits Mwanza

To prevent cholera, people should wash their hands often and take steps to ensure that food and water are safe for use.

 The call was made here yesterday by Mwanza Regional Commissioner Amos Makalla when speaking at a technical meeting with health stakeholders on how to control the deadly disease from spreading further.

 He noted that as of yesterday there were 28 confirmed patients in the region hence the need to take precautionary measures to contain it.

 “When an outbreak of a disease occurs, it is the responsibility of leaders to take measures quickly to control it and stop it from spreading”, he said.

 Makalla noted that if someone eats food prepared in a dirty environment or without washing hands properly with clean water and soap, they are likely to consume pathogens that cause cholera.

 “Let us encourage food vendors to boil water for their customers and discourage gatherings at funerals as some of the strategies to control the spread of the disease in our areas all over the region”, he said.

 He directed all districts in the region to come up with strategies to shelter and treat people with signs of the disease and provide education on it at all health facilities.

“I would like to tell people of Mwanza that cholera is there and those with the signs be taken to health facilities urgently for treatment as the disease is curable if a patient goes to hospital as early as possible,” he said.

 Also, the RC urged transportation stakeholders and traditional healers to join efforts with the government in the fight against the outbreak of the disease in the region which has seven districts namely Magu, Kwimba, Ukerewe, Nyamagana, Ilemela, Sengerema and Misungwi.

 Citing an example, he said that traditional healers should not receive patients with signs of cholera but instead tell them to go to hospital for treatment.

Dr Thomas Rutachunzibwa, Mwanza Regional Medical Officer said that signs of cholera include vomiting, diarrhoea and shrinking of skin due to excessive vomiting, among others.