15 Aug 2022

Diarrhoea cases in Chobe District jumped from 17 to 94 in the space of one week, a local health official has  revealed.

  Speaking in an interview recently, Chobe District Health Management Team (DHMT) coordinator, Ms Rose Munyere said the 94 cases were registered between July 31 and August 6 while the 17 were recorded the week before.

Describing the week as the peak, she revealed that 28 of the cases had symptoms of dehydration. 

Ms Munyere said 87 per cent of the diarrhoea cases were registered in Kasane and Plateau and that the majority of those affected were children under the age of five.

She said as of August 10, seven patients were admitted at Kasane Primary Hospital.

Ms Munyere said although  it was believed that the cases were part of the outbreak announced by the Ministry of Health recently, the DHMT was continuously conducting tests to determine possible causes.

She said the DHMT had activated a rapid response team and intensified community health education while all Chobe health facilities were on high alert to detect and provide the necessary services.

Ms Munyere said case management commodities had also been availed.

She urged the public to report to the nearest health facility promptly upon noticing any diarrhoea signs .

Ms Munyere also called for the maintenance of hygiene such as keeping the environment clean, proper food handling and regular washing of hands with clean water and soap. Ends