A cholera outbreak in parts of Uganda has killed 31 people of the 490 cases recorded since the epidemic broke out in May this year, a top health official said on Thursday.
Stephen Malinga, Minister of Health, told reporters that the deaths mainly occurred in eastern Uganda where the epidemic spread fast. There were cases also recorded in northwestern and mid-western parts of the country.
"Most of the deaths from cholera occur at home. People don't take the patients promptly to the treatment centers," he said.
The ministry has established cholera treatment centers, especially in the affected districts, where drugs are provided and other outbreak control measures are taken, he said.
"The ministry of health urges the general public to be on the alert and report any suspected cholera case to the nearest health unit," said the minister.
Cholera spread through eating food or drinking water contaminated with human faeces containing cholera germs.
It is characterized by profuse diarrhea, vomiting and kills people in a short time.
Source: Xinhua
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