Over 30 thirty people hospitalised after cholera outbreak in Mahaday

At least thirty people have been admitted to Mahaday Hospital following a cholera outbreak that has affected more than half of the districts of Middle Shabelle region.

15 children and a similar number of adults were treated for the disease in three hospitals in Mahadday.

So far, 236 cases have been reported in Jowhar and Mahaday towns since November this year, a situation health officials blame on poor hygiene.

Late this week, the director of  Jowhar General Hospital, Omar Sheikh  linked the outbreak to poor hygiene and the ongoing heavy rains.

“We have noticed symptoms of cholera which is a normal infection and as we continue treating the patients they are getting better as we are giving them antibiotics and lots of fluids,” he said.

The outbreak of the disease started in September and has been recurring since then.

While urging the public to take extra caution while handling food and to observe high hygienic standards, the medical officers said some villages were reporting cases of cholera for the first time when others were dealing with a perennial issue.

Cholera outbreak is largely due to the mushrooming of unhygienic food outlets and improper screening of food handlers. Screening of the handlers is a function of county governments.

“We urge the public to be extra cautious while handling food and to observe high hygienic standards,” said Mursal Abdi, medical officer

Cholera is caused by a bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. In its most severe form, it is characterised by an explosive outpouring of fluids from the body through vomiting and/or diarrhoea within hours of infection such that, if not treated appropriately, can lead to death.