Kabale — Unlike in the past, communities affected by the latest cholera outbreak in Kampala are now responding fast to public health guidelines aimed at containing the infection.

"When a person gets the symptoms, the community quickly rushes them to the treatment isolation centre at Mulago Hospital," Dr Joseph Ssenzoga, the Kampala City Council disease surveillance and response coordinator, said on Thursday. "In the past, people were wasting time and in the process several got infected leading to high numbers of infections."

The latest epidemic which broke out late last month in the Kinawataka-Mutungo area has so far claimed four lives out of the 43 cumulative cases as Thursday. But three cases, two children and a woman, remain admitted at Mulago's isolation centre.

Dr Ssenzoga attributes the latest change in attitude by the communities to "aggressive health education." He added, "The communities have appreciated that when one is taken to the isolation centre, the chances of survival are high. That is why they are rushing there whoever is suspected to be sick."

But with the continuing heavy rains, Dr Ssenzoga is not sure if the health authorities are on top of the situation. Most of the affected communities are in areas prone to flooding, a situation that usually takes faecal material right into their houses and contaminates their water sources. Each rainy season is characterised by cholera in Kampala.

According WHO, cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients.

The treatment centre administrator, Sr. Winnie Bukenya, in an interview on Thursday stressed the need for proper sanitation in order to contain the infection. "People should wash their hands every after toilet use and before eating," said Sr. Bukenya. "They should also avoid cold foods and drinks and ensure that they eat only well-cooked food. They should also boil or treat their water before drinking it."