Cibitoke: 15 people affected with cholera in less than two weeks in Rugombo

A cholera epidemic is reported in the locality of Mparambo, in the commune of Rugombo in the province of Cibitoke (north-west of Burundi) since two weeks ago. Fifteen patients have been identified. The lack of drinking water is at the root of this pandemic. Health officials in Cibitoke say they did not see this epidemic coming. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

There has been an upsurge in cholera cases in recent days in this part of Cibitoke province, bordering the Rusizi River, separating Burundi and the DRC. At least 15 cases have already been declared to the emergency department of the Rugombo health center.

All the patients, according to an administrative source, are from the hill of Mparambo I, in the commune of Rugombo, about ten kilometers from the provincial capital.

Medical care is fully provided by Médecins Sans Frontières, which has also provided this medical structure with an ambulance to facilitate patient transport.

The Burundi Red Cross and the civil protection police are more active in disinfecting the interior of the houses where the patients live. All households in the locality are also supplied with drinking water.

The Regideso (public company in charge of the distribution of water and electricity) contributes to make drinking water available and permanent. The locality affected is sorely lacking in it.

Health officials in Cibitoke say they have started public awareness campaigns, in collaboration with the local administration.

“It was following the crying lack of drinking water that the epidemic broke out”, they say.