Via Mmegi Online :
" The rainy season is here and once again government is urging people to take precautions against malaria.
While historically the disease has only affected the northern parts of the country, it has been found in the south. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, Tuduetso Kelapile told Mmegi that while the southern part of the country is historically a malaria free area it has recently been affected.
"We have had cases of malaria in Kweneng East, Kgatleng and Letlhakeng," she said, adding that the ministry carries out thorough investigations in the areas to establish the presence of malaria. Once the disease is found, intervention measures such as spraying and supplying people with mosquito nets will be implemented.
Kelapile said that nationally her ministry recorded 15 deaths from malaria over the last two years.
"We recorded seven deaths in 2009 and eight last year," she said. This year only, there have been 77 confirmed cases in Bobirwa, 57 in Tutume, 40 in Boteti, 37 in Palapye, 31 in Selebi-Phikwe, 30 in Kweneng East, 27 in Ngami and 23 in Kgatleng. Kelapile said that the government currently distributes mosquito nets to people who reside in malaria endemic areas such as Okavango, Chobe, Ngami, Nata Gweta areas, Boteti-West and some targeted areas in Bobirwa and Tutume."
Showing posts with label Mmegi Online. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mmegi Online. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Botswana : Rabies cases on the rise
Via Mmegi Online :
" Dr Oumer Nesredin, a medical doctor with the Ministry of Health, has said that the number of people infected and affected by rabies in Botswana is on the rise.
Speaking at an event to commemorate World Rabies Day in Gaborone yesterday, Dr Nesredin said that people seek rabies treatment after coming into contact with infected animals.
He said that children are the main victims of death from the disease. Explaining how infected children might behave he said, "The child might want to bite others or strike others with something. They might get irritable or just cling to their mothers. These are worrisome changes of behaviour and should be reported to the nearest health facility immediately".
He added that an infected person is unable to drink or eat food although he or she could be very thirsty or hungry. This is because the muscles around the throat close when one tries to swallow. The infected person usually struggles to balance and experiences muscle pains."
" Dr Oumer Nesredin, a medical doctor with the Ministry of Health, has said that the number of people infected and affected by rabies in Botswana is on the rise.
Speaking at an event to commemorate World Rabies Day in Gaborone yesterday, Dr Nesredin said that people seek rabies treatment after coming into contact with infected animals.
He said that children are the main victims of death from the disease. Explaining how infected children might behave he said, "The child might want to bite others or strike others with something. They might get irritable or just cling to their mothers. These are worrisome changes of behaviour and should be reported to the nearest health facility immediately".
He added that an infected person is unable to drink or eat food although he or she could be very thirsty or hungry. This is because the muscles around the throat close when one tries to swallow. The infected person usually struggles to balance and experiences muscle pains."
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