Kampala/ Mbale — While the health ministry is aware that the cholera strain ravaging eastern Uganda is capable of causing a large scale epidemic, mitigation measures appear wanting.

Diagnostic samples from the affected districts of Pallisa, Tororo, Butaleja, Mbale and Manafwa show that the strain discovered after tests was found to be cholera O1 El Tor Inaba.

According to the World Health Organisation, cholera causes the majority of outbreaks worldwide. A survey by Sunday Monitor has established that despite the outbreak of the epidemic almost two months ago, the health ministry has not embarked on a mass health education campaign through the media as it normally does when diseases break out.

As of Thursday, none of the radio stations that cover the affected districts has received radio spots or public service announcements educating the public on how to avoid and control infections.

"We have only had two radio shows organised by the districts of Mbale and Manafwa. We are yet to get spots from the health ministry," said a station manager at one of the radio stations in Mbale who preferred anonymity for fear of jeopardising his business relationship with the ministry.

But as far as the ministry is concerned, the current epidemic has been the best controlled compared to those before in this sub-region. The Commissioner for Community Health Dr Sam Okware said on Friday that "a film van is moving in the affected areas educating the public about cholera."

He said the delay to use the mass media could be due to financial constraints. He said treatment centres are working well in the affected areas.

As of June 25, the epidemic had killed 28 people out of the 350 cumulative cases. According to the WHO, cholera is mainly transmitted through contaminated water and food and is closely linked to inadequate environmental management.

The absence or shortage of safe water and sufficient sanitation combined with a generally poor environmental status are the main causes of spread of the disease.

The UN health agency says measures for the prevention of cholera mostly consist of providing clean water and proper sanitation to populations potentially affected.