Dar seeks cure to cholera recurrence 

DAR ES SALAAM Regional Medical Officer Dr Rashid Mfaume has said that further studies are needed to identify precise causes of cholera recurrence in order to find long term solution.

The RMO’s remark follows the recent outbreak of the disease. At least 15 people were reported to have contracted the disease recently but the good news is that all have fully recovered, with no new cases reported.

Dr Mfaume underscored the need for further research to be done to identity indicators of the disease so as to completely eradicate it.

“We need to conduct research that will involve various experts to look at all the factors that cause the recurrence of the disease,” said Dr Mfaume, adding; “the research will help us to adopt measures that will help to eradicate the disease.”

He said the study should focus on finding the indicators of the disease if it is water, environment, people’s behaviour, and find the best way of preventing the disease.

Speaking to journalists at a one-day capacity building training for journalists on cholera, Dr Mfaume said they were collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to conduct the research to find out sustainable measures of preventing the disease.

Commenting on the disease, Dr Mfaume said there are no deaths from the recent reported Cholera outbreak and all the patients have recovered and discharged.

Dr Mfaume said among the patients nine were women and six were men.

The RMO said that the government managed to contain the spread of the disease through various measures, including the emergency responses and closely monitoring of the disease.

He further said that they have also taken water samples for testing and also ensure that water from the wells is properly treated.

On her part, Dar es Salaam Regional Health Officer, Enezael Ayo said that despite the absence of new cases, the patient will also be monitored for 21 days.

Ms Ayo said that so far they had inspected 42 wells and treated them while stoping two of them, noting that the exercise is underway.

She said that during the inspection in the affected areas, they found that 35 per cent of people were using water from Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA), seven per cent were using shallow wells and 60 per cent were using deep wells.