Ondjiva – The head of the Department of Public Health and Control of Endemic Diseases in the southern Cunene Province, Félix Satiohamba, said on Tuesday that surveillance actions against cholera in urban and rural communities are reinforced with the installation of the multi-sector technical team to respond to possible cases of the disease in the region.
When speaking at the technical meeting to assess the cholera's epidemiological situation, he stressed that although the province had not detected any suspected case, it was essential to move forward with prevention measures, training and capacity-building actions for teams.
He made it known that the commission is responsible for carrying out surveillance, active search, collection, identification and mapping of risk areas, water points, water distribution and treatment, risk communication, community engagement and management of possible cases.
To this end, it was essential to prioritize the training of staff in terms of treatment and management of cases of the disease so that they are properly prepared to respond to any outbreak.
He explained that in Cunene, the municipalities of Cahama, Ombadja, Curoca, which had an outbreak of the disease back in 2014, were mapped as a risk area, as well as Cuvelai and the commune of Evale.
He also pointed out informal markets, bus station and places with the largest population clusters as risk areas, as well as the neighborhoods of Oshamukuio, Okapale and Cachila 1 (Ondjiva), due to the weak supply of drinking water and the high rate of open defecation.
Félix Satyohamba recalled that surveillance teams are ready to search the communities, while INEMA will be in charge of directing patients to specific locations.
The official called on families to reinforce hygiene actions, stressing that prevention must start within homes with hand washing measures, correct handling of food and care for children.
Participated in the meeting technicians, water and sanitation companies, non-governmental organizations, churches, associations, traditional authorities, among other partners.
Since the cholera outbreak was declared on January 7, more than 500 cases of the disease have been detected and 27 deaths have been registered in the provinces of Luanda, Icolo & Bengo, Malanje and Bengo.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine, caused by vibrio cholerae bacteria, whose main symptom is watery diarrhea and vomiting and muscle cramps.
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