Alert on as Cholera hits DRC

A cholera outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen government officials in Kigali locked up in discussions to prevent the disease from spreading to Rwanda.Officials in the DRC say that up to 1,228 cases of cholera have been registered in North Kivu since January 2012, leading to 11 deaths last week.North Kivu is close to the Gisenyi border in Rubavu District, Western Province.The Ministry of Health says that although cholera is now declared an epidemic in DRC, Rwanda was not under threat and that imported cases were being contained. “As a result of this outbreak in DRC, the first case of cholera was diagnosed in Rwanda on February 13, 2012 from an individual returning from North Kivu,” a statement from the ministry reads. “Since then, 12 other cases were diagnosed and successfully treated and discharged from our Health facilities a week ago. All registered cases were infected in the DRC but returned for treatment and have since been discharged with no death recorded,” said the statement.The ministry also reported that no new cases have been reported since February 22, 2012.Health minister, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, emphasised the need for hygiene, continuous sensitisation, as well as quick and accurate rapid treatment for the sick. “For now we have managed to contain this outbreak, but what I need to remind everyone is that this outbreak is a ticking bomb, especially within our neighbors and, therefore, if we are not prepared, it could spread to our population,” she cautioned health officials during a meeting.The meeting, which was held in Rubavu District, was attended by the State Minister for Local Government, Alvera Mukabaramba, provincial governors, district mayors, doctors and nurses.To contain the situation, officials agreed to advise the population bordering DRC to limit cross-border movements, abolish consumption of raw food stuffs, particularly those sold along roadsides, as well as improve hygiene.

National

Alert on as Cholera hits DRC