23 Apr 2014

DHMT principal health officer, Mr Onalethata Maiketso says 15 children in her area of jurisdiction have succumbed to diarrhea.

He said this when addressing a kgotla meeting recently. “Kanye registered 12 deaths while Lotlhakane East recorded three deaths,”  he said.

He said the number of infected people initially stood at 70, but it increased to 400. He confirmed to the gathering that this outbreak raised concern, therefore they found it of paramount importance to address people so as to update and warn them about this outbreak.

Mr Maiketso said that they were saddened by the escalation in the number of people who had been affected by the diarrhea outbreak. He confirmed that this diarrhea outbreak affected both the young and the old. 

Since the young ones were prone to this disease, he urged parents to seek immediate medical help upon recognition of the symptoms of diarrhea. He advised that immediate medical help will assist in stopping dehydration on the children.

“Diarrhea has not affected Kanye only, as Moshupa and Francistown have also been affected,” said Mr Maiketso.

He pointed out that they recognised the outbreak in February, but the numbers of people who were suffering from the disease increased at an alarming rate. Mr Maiketso informed the gathering that they were still investigating the cause of this outbreak as diarrhea was caused by different microbes.

He recommended that people should boil water, wash hands with soap after using toilets and always eat clean foods at all times so as to enhance good hygiene. ENDS