10:02
rwandaexpress
Cholera patients receiving treatment in DRC
The ministry of health has sounded an alert on possible risks of cholera outspread in Rwanda after signs of the waterborne disease being sighted in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to a Ministry press release, the disease was sighted at the borders between the two countries. However, senior government officials held a day-long meeting in Rubavu district on February 28, to lay concrete measures of preventing the spread of the disease into Rwanda.
The outbreak of Cholera is now declared an epidemic in DRC, with up to 1228 cases of Cholera registered in North Kivu leading to 11 deaths as of last week.
The situation in Rwanda is normal and Rwandan officials have laid strategies of preventing the spread of Cholera. Some of the strategies include: Enhanced Community sensitization and mobilization on best hygiene practices through mass media campaigns, Advising population on limited cross-border movements especially for social functions like burials or any other functions that can be postponed, abolishing consumption of raw food stuffs sold alongside roads, ensure hygiene inspections by Local Government authorities for all households, Put in informative and educative posters at Border posts, among others.
The first case of cholera was diagnosed in Rwanda on 13th February from an individual returning from North Kivu. Since then, 12 other cases were diagnosed and successfully treated and discharged from Health facilities one week ago. All registered cases were contaminated in DR Congo but returned for treatment and have since been discharged with no recorded death.
During a consultative meeting with local leader to address strategies of curbing the spread of this disease into Rwanda, the Minister of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho emphasized need for vigilance and continuous sensitization of population on key hygienic preventive measures as well as quick and accurate rapid treatment for the sick.
“The Government of Rwanda takes great value in the lives of each and every citizen of this country,” Minister of Health Dr. Agnes Binagwaho said. “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,” the Minister cautioned.
The minister also noted that Rwanda will undertake sensitization meetings across all districts bordering DRC to re-enforce mechanisms of combating this scourge.
Posted in: 
