RED ALERT: CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN LUBOMBO

MATERNITY WARD IN SHAMBLES ... Health Minister Bennedict Xaba holding a baby at the maternity ward during his tour of the Mbabane Government Hospital on Friday

Firstly, it was Zimbabwe and some parts of South Africa. Now Cholera has hit Swaziland. Two cases of cholera have been confirmed in the Lubombo region.

These are two girls aged nine years from Mndobandoba area attending school at Dumisa Primary School.
This has been confirmed by Minister of Health, Bennedict Xaba.
The minister said the cases were reported at the Good Shepherd Hospital and the two minors are currently undergoing treatment.
“Both cases had a history of diarrhea and vomiting with rice watery stools. They were both admitted at Good Shepherd Hospital. The hospital had established a treatment centre and both cases were isolated from other patients,” stated Xaba.
The minister said the ministry’s Emergency and Preparedness Team is already on site, monitoring the situation and providing sanitation programmes to the community.
“We were caught off-guard by the outbreak; we did not expect it since the rainy season is now over. Our neighbours such as Mozambique and South Africa have been severely affected by the pandemic. We have the situation under control and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that the disease does not spread,” he said.
Xaba further disclosed that a rapid assessment was conducted in the region and it was discovered that diarrhea cases had been increasing but no severe signs and symptoms. On May 27, a client presented with severe dehydration was immediately started on rehydration therapy and was referred to Good Shepherd where she was confirmed vibrio-cholera-ogawa.
A community assessment also discovered that two of the homesteads in Mndobandoba had toilets (pit latrines) that are more of shelters than toilets since there are no vent pipes, seat covers, etc.
Two sources were identified and one unprotected spring and tap water directly from the Usuthu River.
Dumisa School, where the two children with Cholera attend, has 670 students. The source of water is a borehole and there is poor sanitation.
“Community sensitisation and education on prevention are on-going and will continue to be done at the school and surrounding areas. The ministry is also making efforts to avail safe water to the school and community as well as improving the sanitation conditions in the area,” stated the Xaba.
He further warned members of the public to take serious measures to improve their hygienic conditions both at community and household level.
How to prevent malaria:
g  wash hands with soap and water all the    time after toilet use
g  wash hands with soap and water all the    time before meals.
g  wash all fruits and vegetables.
g  Sterilise water by boiling or use of Jik.    (one cap unperformed Jik in  a 25 litre    container)
g  Report to the nearest health facility if
 having diarrhea