Vomiting, diarrhoea outbreak, kill scores in Ngamiland - health expert

Vomiting, diarrhoea outbreak, kill scores in Ngamiland - health expert

BONIFACE KEAKABETSE
CORRESPONDENT

MAUN: Outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea in Ngamiland has left at least 17 children under one year dead, Ngamiland District Health Team (DHT) leader Dr Christopher Chembe has disclosed.

Briefing the media yesterday Dr Chembe said there has been an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting amongst infants since June 15. He said the conditions are caused by the Rotavirus, which was identified by doctors from the stools analysis of samples taken from children affected.  Dr Chembe said the virus is natural to the environment and commonly attacks during winter.

The virus mostly affects children from six to 24 months as they have a weak immunity system, he said adding that ultimately the children could die from the dehydration."This is an extremely dangerous virus.  We are sensitising all parents that they should immediately report their children to hospital or the nearest clinic if they exhibit signs of diarrhoea and vomiting" he said.

He said children get the disease after exposure to contaminated stools. Parents and caretakers can also spread the infection to children. Some of the symptoms may include fever, nausea, and frequent and watery diarrhoea
Meanwhile the North West District Council has instructed that all crches throughout Ngamiland be closed with immediate effect until the outbreak has subsided. Last week all the children from hundreds of crches in Maun were sent home and it is not yet clear when they will be reopened.

Chembe said some of the response measures the district health team has put in place include heightened supply of oral dehydration drinks and zinc sulphate to fight dehydration. He said they are also undertaking rigorous community sensitisation thought out the district to create awareness.

However, there are concerns about parents who may take their children to traditional doctors instead of recognised medical facilities. He said they have also talked with the traditional doctors association to dissuade their members from attending to children with diarrhoea in the meantime, he said.

Mmegi, 28 June 2012