In a follow-up on the cholera outbreak in Kampala, Uganda, health officials reported an update on the cholera outbreak that was declared in the Kampala area in early January.

Uganda Image/Robert Herriman
Uganda
Image/Robert Herriman

As of Feb. 10, 53 cholera cases, including three fatalities ave been reported across Kampala City and two other districts, Wakiso and Luwero.

According to WHO, a number of public health actions have been put in place to include the placement of a cholera rapid response team (RRT) and solid waste management is ongoing with 65 clean ups carried out in all areas, with particular attention to hot spots, along with intensified rubbish collections, among others.

The good news is it appears to be a break in transmission since no new cases have been reported since 10 February 2019.

Cholera is a disease spread by drinking water or eating food contaminated with cholera bacteria. Severe cholera is characterized by large amounts of watery diarrhea, often described as “rice-water stool” because it can have a pale, milky appearance. It can also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If untreated, the loss of fluid can be deadly. But simple treatment, including replacing lost body fluids, can lower the risk of death to less than 1%.