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Namibia: Cholera Death Toll Rises
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New Era (Windhoek)
17 April 2008
Posted to the web 17 April 2008
Petronella Sibeene
Windhoek
Cholera continues to claim lives in the north with the latest statistics standing at 13 deaths.
The disease has also spread to Opuwo where three suspected cases and one death were recorded by yesterday morning.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, yesterday confirmed the cases, adding that 1201 suspected cases were recorded in the Ohangwena region and 16 were confirmed cases.
Although the figures are rising, the minister says technical advice suggests the disease has reached its peak and a decline will soon be experienced.
"We have our people on the ground. There are enough drugs," the minister assured.
Floods in northern Namibia have displaced over 60000 people and spread cholera and malaria, health agencies say.
Health officials said more malaria cases would be expected in the north-central regions of the country this year due to high rainfall and the floods.
Ohangwena reported 147 confirmed malaria cases and two deaths from November to March while Omusati had 1908 confirmed cases and seven deaths. In Oshana 213 were confirmed cases, with no loss of life.
There are more malaria cases this year compared to last year when rainfall was poor.
The ministry, together with its development partners, bemoaned the use of mosquito nets by most people to catch fish and other water creatures instead of the intended use.
Last year, the ministry donated hundreds of nets to pregnant women, the elderly and children under the age of five.
Regional Health Director, Dr Naftali Hamata, urged regional governors to encourage their communities to use the mosquito nets, as more malaria cases will put pressure on the health facilities in the region.
The ministry also sprayed almost 90 percent of the region with DDT.
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In the last two years, the ministry introduced the rabbit test, which determines whether one has malaria or not in a matter of minutes. The test enables the patient to get treatment quickly if required.
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