OFFICIALS from the Ministry of Health have said that efforts to contain the outbreak of cholera that was reported in Rubavu District three weeks ago, have paid off. Following the outbreak, the ministry, working with local government officials set up a camp for patients to ensure that the disease does not spread to many and that those affected are successfully treated to contain the outbreak. Over 60 people were isolated and put into a camp in Kanama Sector. They have since all been treated and returned to their communities. Speaking to The New Times, Malik Kayumba, the head of the health communication division at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said all the affected have been successfully treated. “Now that all the affected have been successfully treated, we have now embarked on a sensitisation campaign to prevent more outbreaks of the diseases, and this is possible,” Kayumba said. He said the ministry, and local authorities are working hard to contain the outbreak through increasing awareness campaigns on how to prevent the disease. “The Ministry of Health, RBC, Police and local authorities are all working together to increase the awareness on the use of clean water, proper hand washing and asking people to go to health facilities whenever they have problems,” Kayumba said “Everyone identified with signs is treated very well and most of them are well and have since been discharged and are back to their communities,” Kayumba added. He said that awareness campaigns on proper hygiene and use of toilets are ongoing. Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and even death if untreated. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio Cholerae. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
