Cholera: number infected close to 50

RUSIZI — The number of people suspected to have contracted Cholera in Bugarama sector in Rusizi District has hit 48 since last week. Speaking to The New Times on Tuesday morning, Egide Gatera, the Executive Secretary of Bugarama, said new cases were reported on Monday. “The numbers seem to be increasing on a daily basis, over the weekend we had only 39 cases but now we have registered 48 cases. We expect to get more new cases any time from now,” he said. He added however, that no death has been reported so far and those who were earlier admitted at both Mibilizi Hospital and Bugarama Health Center were steadily recovering. On Tuesday, the Mayor, Fabien Sindayiheba together with other district officials, urged residents of Bugarama sector to improve hygiene in order to fight further spread of the cholera pandemic. “I call upon you to collaborate with other concerned government authorities in fighting against the cholera pandemic which broke out in this particular sector. I also advise you to always drink boiled water and to improve on hygiene because this disease is mostly caused by poor hygiene,” Sindayiheba urged. Gatera attributed cholera outbreak in the area to lack of safe water for drinking and domestic use. He said residents draw water from Rubyiro River which is shared by Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to Gatera, the disease has also been reported in the nearby areas of Rugombo commune in Burundi, which he said could worsen its spread as border residents visit each other. Ends