Following 18 people death and 171 confirmed Cholera cases, South Sudan's government has declared cholera outbreak in the capital city.
"After subjecting those suspected cases to analysis, we confirm beyond doubt that there is an outbreak of cholera in Juba," Health Minister Dr Riek Gai Kok told journalists in Juba on Tuesday.
The first suspected case was received on June 1 originating from inside the UN 'displaced persons' camp on the outskirts of Juba. Cases have since spread outside the camp to some of the city's most congested neighbourhoods.
Dr Thomas Wel Maker, in charge of the hospital isolation ward in Juba, said "Staff are paid for eight-hours [shifts], but they are now working 24 hours".
Although, World Health Organization guidelines indicate that an outbreak should be declared after 10 to 20 confirmed cases, but there are now 171 confirmed cases of cholera and 18 deaths from the disease, according to the ministry of health.
The health minister was reluctant to explain why the government waited for three weeks before going public. He said "we are not here today to investigate the past … information is not a cure alone ... In the last two weeks we have not been idle".
He said that they have spent the time setting up a treatment ward, increasing surveillance and case management and trying to verify confirmed cases.
"What was lacking was the public declaration, but already we have been taking measures.
"We want to contain it here in Juba. We don't want it to overspill [into other parts of the country," said the minister.
WELCOME TO THE TEAMTAYO FAMILY BLOG... it's important to add our link( www.teamtayonews.blogspot.com ) to your browser home page for easy view of our blog post and use the SHARE LINK below at just a click to share our post with your facebook friends. As well, share your view using the comment box below, as the TEAMTAYO family blog strives to be the best in Nigeria, Africa and the World at large...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please be polite with your views in coment...