One dead, 14 hospitalized over suspected cholera outbreak in Budaka
By David Omoding
One person has died and at least 14 people have been admitted at Budaka health centre four in critical condition over a suspected Cholera outbreak.
Dr. Erisa Mulwani, the District Health Officer, has confirmed the incident saying they received the first suspected cases at 12pm on Monday.
He said the victims are all residents of Sekulo B, Sekulo parish Kadimkoli sub-county, Iki-Iki County in Budaka district.
The deceased has been identified as Emma Gole (17), a resident of Sekulo B.
He added that the victims are currently temporally isolated at Budaka health centre four pending relocation to Nansanga cholera isolation centre for further management.
He said the victims presented signs related to that of cholera which include acute rice diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, swollen eyes.
Some of the victims were identified as Mawulo Timothy 18, Famba Joel 13, Namwenge Esther 19, Kiberi Alpakusadi 7, Famba Jordan and Tino Joan one and a half year old.
The identities of others who were brought with an ambulance at 6 45pm remain unknown by press time.
Earlier some of the victims told the medics that they ate cold food that their mother had carried from a party and they started suffering stomach upsets.
By 7:00pm Monday, there were preparations to transfer the suspected victims to Nansanga cholera isolation centre for further management.
Dr. Mulwani said tests have been sent to the regional labs and Entebbe for tests and confirmation tomorrow.
‘’I cannot confirm now that its cholera but we have sent samples to the regional labs and Entebbe but people should be calm’’
He added that he has sent an email to the ministry to notify them of the suspected outbreak.
Challenges
According to Dr. Mulwani currently the health facility is hit by acute shortage of drugs, beds, Jik, protective gear, gumboots, and manpower.
A June 5, 2016 cholera outbreak left 9 people dead and several dozen hospitalized.
Following this incident several patients who were admitted at the health facility abandoned it fearing they might contract the deadly virus.
