15 hospitalized in Qansahdhere after cholera outbreak

 Over 15 people have been in the last two days treated for cholera in Qansahdhere town of Somalia’s Souther region Bakool.

The outbreak of the epidemic is linked to the shortage of water in the region as most of the boreholes dried up as the drought continues to ravage most parts of the country..

Qansahdhere district commissioner, Isack Mohamud said that fifteen patients have been received on Thursday and Friday alone an indication the patients may increase on daily basis.

Mohamed said the number was likely to rise because more patients with cholera symptoms were being admitted in the only operating hospital in the town.

“We are calling upon the residents to observe cleanliness and avoid public eateries. If anyone wants to be safe from the disease, drink treated water and encourage the use of toilets,” he said

He said the cases were mainly from homes in the outskirt of the town.

Mohamed said lack of water in the area was the leading cause of the disease.

“We have not been supplied with clean drinking water for a long time. Most of the people in the region use water from borehole and stagnant water resources which are contaminated,” said Mohamed warned.

Cholera, a highly contagious intestinal infection, is transmitted by water soiled by human waste.

After a short incubation period of two to five days, the disease causes severe diarrhoea, draining the body of its water. The sudden and dramatic loss of fluid is often fatal.