Nigeria: 8 Killed, 61 Hospitalised in Plateau Cholera Outbreak

Via All Africa :

" Medical authorities in Plateau have confirmed an outbreak of cholera in Namu village in the Qua'pan Local Government Area of the state.

Namu, a village at the Plateau and Nasarawa States border, hosts displaced people in the violent crisis that broke out in the Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

"Yes, there has been an outbreak of cholera in Namu village, eight people have been killed while 61 others have been hospitalised," the Plateau State Epidemiologist, Dr Raymond Yuryit, said in Namu on Sunday.

Yuryit spoke when he received Alhaji Alhassan Barde, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who had gone to assess the situation. He said that those hospitalised had been diagnosed with the disease and had been admitted into various health centres.

Juryit attributed the outbreak to overcrowding, dirty environment and the consumption of unhygienic food and water.

He described cholera as a "deadly disease" that could kill "within the shortest possible time because its dehydrates the victim, leading to severe gastro-intestinal impact"."

Rwanda : 30 Cholera Cases Reported At Nkombo Island

Via All Africa :

" At leaset 26 people have been treated for Cholera at Nkombo Island since August, with hundreds of others at the risk of contracting the disease.

According to the director of Nkombo Health Centre, Didas Mukeshimana, the disease outbreak is attributed to low access to clean and safe water at the island.

No death has so far been recorded officials said. The statistics were announced during a meeting to discuss how to avert the outbreak on the Lake Kivu Island this week that brought together local health and grassroots leaders, district officials and residents.

Nkombo Island is approximately 11 Kilometres from Kamembe town.

The island, which is one of the 18 sectors that make up Rusizi District, covers an area of 21 square kilometres and is populated by about 17,000 residents."

Nigeria : Health Secretariat Sends Alert On Lassa Fever

Via All Africa :

" Following reported cases of Lassa fever outbreak in 13 states of the country, the FCT Administration has sent alert letters to health facilities in all the six area councils of the FCT on measures to curtail the disease.

FCT Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Ademola Onakomaiya, made the revelation at a press briefing on the 2012 Lassa fever outbreak recently.

He said alert letters were sent to the area councils and all FCT secondary and private health facilities informing them to step up active surveillance and community sensitization.

The Secretary said so far within the year, only three suspected cases have been reported and no confirmed deaths."

Congo-Kinshasa : Alert On As Cholera Hits DRC

Via All Africa :

" A cholera outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen government officials in Kigali locked up in discussions to prevent the disease from spreading to Rwanda.

Officials in the DRC say that up to 1,228 cases of cholera have been registered in North Kivu since January 2012, leading to 11 deaths last week.

North Kivu is close to the Gisenyi border in Rubavu District, Western Province."

Nigeria: Cholera Still On Rampage

Article via All Africa, excerpt :

" The annual rampage of the cholera disease is now so predictable that millions of Nigerians rarely pay attention to it.

Yet, its re-occurrence in areas most prone, have had devastating effects with death numbers steadily climbing. In the midst of these harvest of deaths, we also have oasis of hope, that is the near cholera free states. Why are some states cholera prone and some cholera free? Daily Trust Health Insight investigates.

The casualties started trickling in before the rains began last year. Five deaths in Adamawa, 30 in hospital; 11 deaths in Nasarawa; another 11 deaths in Oyo. They spanned 203 local government areas across 26 states.

With a fatality ratio estimated at 3.2%, the disease claimed 742 lives by year end. Epidemiologists in weekly updates overseen by the federal health ministry recorded a total 23, 377 cases.

With the change of season around September, the outbreak began to dwindle. There still were new cases but the number of deaths had reduced.

The first two months in 2012, just two states have recorded cholera cases, the federal health ministry said in its weekly epidemiological update.

The first five weeks saw 14 cases with no death in Kaduna and Gombe. One week later, the suspected cases jumped to 40; one death was reported."

Nigeria: Containing Lassa Fever Outbreak

Via All Africa :

" Forty fatalities including two medical personnel due to a recent outbreak of Lassa fever illustrate a lack of adequate information on how to manage this dangerous disease.

The deaths occurred in twelve states where the disease has been detected in the last six weeks. According to the Minister of State for Health, Dr Mohammed Ali Pate, who made announcement in Abuja, the over 397 cases of Lassa fever so far reported came from Edo, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ebonyi, Taraba, Yobe, Ondo, Rivers, Gombe, Anambra, Delta and Lagos states. In response, over 750, 000 doses of Ribavirin injection as well as safety gloves and protective vests for health workers have been were distributed to affected states, he said.

Besides, nine specialist centres have been opened across Nigeria where tests for Lassa fever can be carried out, in addition to the National Institute for Lassa Fever Research and Control, in Irrua, Edo State.

Medical authorities reported that there had been a 60-percent rise in suspected cases of the disease, and 80-percent increase in confirmed cases. Key to effective treatment is early diagnosis, within six days of infection. The annual number of deaths, according to the Community Medical Director at the Irrua institute, Dr A. O. Asogun, could top 58,000 if the current rate of infection continues. Health workers are at greater risk of contracting the disease mainly from exposure to infected patients. Since 2008, seven medical doctors have reportedly died from the disease. Pregnant women are also at high risk of contracting Lassa fever."

Uganda: Cholera Strikes Mbale, Kills Two, 14 Admitted

Via All Africa :

" Authorities in Mbale District have ordered the closure of all eating places that do not meet minimum health standards following a cholera outbreak that has left two people dead and left 14 others admitted to hospital.

This outbreak comes at a time when the district is facing water shortage for close to a week now.

The district health officer, Dr John Baptist Waniaye Waniaye told Sunday Monitor on Friday that about 14 people who had been admitted at Mbale Regional Hospital have been transferred to Busiu health centre IV Cholera treatment centre and that the district health technical team has already issued warnings to people to stop buying prepared food and drinks sold along the streets in Mbale suburbs, in order to curb further spread of the disease."

South Sudan: Health Ministry Declares Nation Meningitis Free

Via All Africa :

" The health ministry on Friday declared South Sudan meningitis free and denied media reports that an outbreak of the disease had occurred in parts of the country, which reportedly lies in the "meningitis belt."

Lul Riek, the ministry's director general for community and public health said in the last six weeks, only 24 suspected cases were reported in the country, through its surveillance reports conducted weekly.

Of the 24 cases, 20 were reported in Central Equatoria state, while the other four were from other unspecified states.

"[Out] of the reported suspected cases, 5 specimen of cerebral spinal fluid specimen were collected and sent to AMREF reference laboratory in Nairobi. These specimens tested negative for Neissaria Meningococcal meningitis," said Riek, in reference to the bacteria that causes meningitis.

The health ministry, he assured the public, remains in full alert to respond to any disease outbreak through its emergency unit.

In the case of meningitis, Riek said the ministry, through the state ministries of health, rapidly responded by investigating all suspected cases after samples collected were tested and found to be negative."

Uganda: Water Shortage Hits Kasese, Escalates Cholera Outbreak

Via All Africa :

" Government officials and non-governmental organisations in Kasese District have joined efforts to fight cholera in Bukonzo West where the disease resurfaced two weeks ago.

This comes after one person died and at least 100 cases were treated at Bwera Hospital last week.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Tuesday, Bwera Hospital administrator Pedson Buthalha attributed the cholera outbreak to water scarcity in the cotton growing area of Nyakiyumbu Sub-county in Bukonzo West. He said: "Due to shortage of water, people have resorted to drinking dirty and contaminated water." However, he said the situation was being contained as the number of cholera patients had reduced to 26 at the weekend.

The district chairperson, Rtd Lt. Col. Mawa Muhindo, who is leading the campaign, asked residents to maintain hygiene in their homes. He asked village leaders to reprimand heads of families who lack proper pit- latrines. But Ms Grace Kabugho, a resident of Nyakiyumbu, blames local leaders for failing to sensitise communities on sanitation and enforcing the law on time."

Zimbabwe : Typhoid Outbreak At Harare Magistrates' Courts

Article via All Africa :

" The Harare Magistrates' Courts was yesterday forced to close after a suspected typhoid outbreak that affected magistrates and other staff.

The court complex has been without running water for the past few weeks.

The court was sitting only up to lunchtime for the rest of last week because of the shortage of water.

Sources yesterday said at least five magistrates and more than 20 clerks of court were sent home in the morning after they were allegedly affected by the disease.

An undisclosed number of prosecutors were also affected with some of them failing to report for duty due to illness."

Uganda: Declare Acholi Disaster Area

An opinion piece via All Africa, excerpt :

" THE anguish, misery, frustration and hopelessness that has gripped the Acholi community in Pader, Kitgum and Lamwo and Ugandans of goodwill over the mysterious 'nodding disease' afflicting over 4,000 children and killed at least 200 according to local media reports, is now being shared thousands of miles away by people of New York in the United States.

New York State Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officials in Atlanta, Georgia, have now confirmed that at least 15 teenage children (14 girls and one boy) from Le Roy High School in Genesee County, New York, are suffering from a mysterious disease with similar symptoms of involuntary head nodding, epileptic-like seizures and slurred speech.

All 15 children have stopped attending school. A new twist in the mystery emerged last week when a 36-year-old New York nurse practitioner, Ms. Marge Fitzsimmons, who had no connection with the Le Roy High School students, was also diagnosed with the symptoms."

Rwanda : Nyagatare Grapples With Malaria

Via All Africa :

" The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, has called for collective efforts in the fight against malaria in Nyagatare District.

The Minister was last week meeting health officials and district authorities at the Nyagatare School of Nursing and Midwifery to discuss the issue of malaria prevalence in the district.

Reports compiled from various health centres in the district indicate that Nyagatare tops malaria prevalence in the country - at 40.4 percent.

While the government plans to completely eradicate malaria by 2015, health specialists in the district warned the percentage of malaria infection could rise unless tough measures are taken."

Rwanda : Malaria On the Rise Among Workers At Nyagatare Rice Scheme

Via All Africa :

" Many workers at Kilimburi Rice Scheme in Nyagatare district have been hit by Malaria due to lack of mosquito nets.

The scheme in Tabagwe Sector, Nyagatare District, is run by Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP) and is set to produce 21,000 tonnes of rice annually with a projected annual income of Rwf 4.5 billion once complete.

When The Sunday Times visited over 170 workers camping in tents in Cyenjojo cell, most of them were suffering from severe malaria.

"I have slept in this tent for a week without going to work because of severe Malaria that hit me last week. We don't get access to mosquito nets yet this place is home to mosquitoes due to its terrain," narrated one Nzabamwita, a casual worker at the rice scheme.

Another worker, who declined to be named said; "We hear there is a massive distribution of mosquito nets around the district but we wonder why RSSP did not advocate for us to receive those prevention kits like others. And when we complain of suffering from Malaria, our managers keep a deaf ear," he said.

A report presented in a recent district security meeting cited Nyagatare District as having the highest cases of malaria compared to other districts in the country."

Nigeria : Rivers Records Two Cases of Lassa Fever

Via All Africa, report dated 26th January 2012, excerpt :

" The Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, on Wednesday announced an outbreak of lassa fever in the state.

He said in Port Harcourt that two persons, including a female youth corps member, had been reported dead from the disease.

Parker explained that the victims were serving in the state, but travelled to their homes in Edo and Ebonyi during the Christmas celebration, where they developed symptoms of the fever and eventually died.

He said the state government had launched an enlightenment campaign to sensitise the people to the need to take necessary precautions against the disease.

Parker said government had received reports of "pockets of occurrences" of lassa fever in seven states, including Edo and Ebonyi."

Gambia: Nation On Cholera Alert

Via All Africa :

" The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Disaster Management Agency, key stakeholders and other partners have officially confirmed that The Gambia is on high alert about Cholera outbreak following the official confirmation of several cases reported in neighbouring Senegal.

The Ministry and partners indicated that they have taken up vigorous surveillance measures and preparedness to respond to any case of cholera and advised the general public to take precautionary measures though there is no official confirmation of Cholera existence in The Gambia so far. They also called on people to join hands to prevent the spread of Cholera in the country.

A press release issued yesterday by the Ministry stated that Cholera is a highly infectious disease that can spread rapidly from person to person, via contaminated food or water, victims develop severe diarrhea with or without vomiting and can quickly kill within hours if untreated. "In view of the highly contagious nature of the disease, the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare is hereby requesting the general public to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Cholera which are severe watery diarrhea, vomiting and fever," it stated."

Uganda : Cholera Still Hits Kasese Amid Preventive Steps

Via All Africa :

" Cholera has persisted in Kasese District despite several efforts to avert the disease after almost two months of a fresh outbreak.

The upsurge of cholera in the area has been attributed to lack of clean water and proper sanitation facilities coupled with the current downpour and high level of immigrants. The first cases were confirmed on October 23 at Kayanzi Landing Site in Nyakiyumbu Sub-county and Mpondwe Lubiriha Town Council.

Later, more cases were reported in other parts of the district and by last week 100 cases had been registered. The Uganda Red Cross Society Kasese branch manager, Dr Mike Mukirania, said five people have died since October.

On November 11, district authorities summoned all sub-county chiefs and LC chairpersons to a crisis meeting at Rukoki. Among the resolutions made was a two-week ultimatum to anyone who had a poor or no pit-latrine at their homes to construct one. However, the two weeks elapsed but reports suggest that there is no improvement."

Kenya: Cholera Outbreak Fears Over Isiolo Floods

Via All Africa :

" More than 2,000 families affected by flash floods in northern Kenya are facing a possible outbreak of cholera as they use untreated flood water for cooking and drinking.m The outbreak is imminent in Merti, Gafarsa, Sericho and Bassa area where thousands of families had their homes submerged when Ewaso Nyiro river burst its banks following heavy rain in the area.

The flash floods are washing away human wastes from latrines into the land surface and its environs posing great risk to residents. The deputy secretary general of Red Cross Dr James Kisia who visited Gafarsa in Garba-Tulla district following the floods, said sanitation was worsened by the raw wastes from latrines into the area. He said there is urgent need to improve sanitation and provide outreach programmes to sensitize the community on usage of treated water.

Isiolo South MP Abdul Bahari Ali said there was need to spray those latrines which were not affected and provide water purification facilities. He also appealed to the government and relevant organisations to support local dispensaries with drugs and other facilities to ensure that locals access the services."

Angola : Health Sector Holds H1N1 Flu Test Along Border

Via All Africa :

" The sanitary authorities of the southern Cunene province is holding since 18 October research tests of H1N1 flu in Santa-Clara district, a region bordering with Namibia, after recording over 1,792 suspicious cases of the virus in that neighbouring country.

The test is being held together with the National Epidemiological Surveillance and Emergencies of the Ministry of Health.

This was said to Angop on Sunday by the head of the public health in Cunene province, Ana Dionísio."

Zambia: Rabies Outbreak Leaves One Man Dead

Via All Africa :

" RABIES has broken out in Mansa District which has recorded 14 cases and one death in the recent past.

District livestock officer Beatwell Mbewe said yesterday in Mansa that the 14 cases were recorded in Chembe area while one person died in Mwang'uni after being bitten by an infected dog.

Mr Mbewe said despite there being no cure, the disease could be prevented if a person bitten by a rabid dog received treatment before the symptoms manifested.

He said one of the commonest symptoms of rabies in human beings was failure to swallow food or having a condition known as hydrophobia, or fear to drink water.

As a way to prevent the spread of the disease, the department of livestock had embarked on a mass rabies vaccination campaign in which more than 500 dogs in Mansa District were expected to be covered."

Nigeria: Cholera - Oyo Confirms 11 Deaths

Via All Africa :

" Ibadan : Oyo State Government on Wednesday in Ibadan declared that only 11 people in the state died from cholera between June and September this year.

According to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdul Lateef Olopoeniyan, available data to the state Government had indicated that there were forty seven reported cases of suspected cholera during the period under review. But he submitted that not all the reported symptoms of stooling and vomiting were cases of cholera.

The Commissioner made the clarification at a press conference held to intimate the public on what the government has been doing on the cases of reported cholera outbreaks in some parts of the state.

While re-assuring the people of the State that the Government is in full control of the suspected cases of cholera outbreak in the state, Dr. Olopoeniyan explained that the State Government, through the Ministry of health, has taken proactive measures to curtail the spread of the disease."