Diarrhoea outbreak claims 10 children Diarrhoea

that most parts of the country are also affected.

Health and Child Welfare Minister Henry Madzorera last night confirmed that the country recorded infants’ deaths annually due to a contagious infection that causes severe diarrhoea in winter.
The diarrhoea – which mostly affects children below the age of 10 – has reportedly claimed 10 children at Mpilo Central Hospital, while at least three succumbed to running tummies at the Ro-man Catholic-run Mater Dei Hospital.

Officials from a number of Bulawayo health care centres are set to meet over the issue today.

“More than 200 children suffering from the disease were admitted during the month of June. Ten children have died. Technicians at our laboratories are analysing stool samples to determine the cause of the disease. Representatives from the City of Bulawayo’s health department, Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mater-Dei will meet tomorrow (today) to discuss the issue,” said an official from Mpilo Hospital, who declined to be named.
A parent whose child is admitted at Mater-Dei said the diarrhoea dehydrated her child within two hours.

HEALTH MATTERS

“The loose stools came out continuously. After about two hours, my son’s eyes were sunken, prompting us to rush him to Mater-Dei. Staff at the hospital said they were treating many diarrhoea cases,” said a father from Waterford su-burb.

An official from the hospital said three children had died of the diarrhoea.
“We recorded three deaths. We have also been receiving reports that more children have been admitted to hospitals in Harare, Gweru and Masvingo,” said the official.

An accountant at Mater-Dei Hospital, Mrs Ethabert Ponalo, said statistics were still being compiled.
“I cannot comment at the moment because I have not yet received data on the issue. We may get back to you when a report has been compiled,” said Mrs Ponalo.

Mpilo’s chief executive officer, Dr Lindiwe Mlilo, could not be reached for comment.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr Douglas Mombeshora said his ministry was yet to receive a report on the suspected outbreak.

“The ministry has not yet been briefed. Hospitals only send a special report when they have an issue that they cannot handle without our assistance,” said Dr Mombeshora.

Said Minister Madzorera: “Its common that every winter we have an increase in rotavirus diarrhoeal cases. I don’t have the statistics at the moment but we have weekly updates from our surveillance department, which is the epidemiology and disease control department.
“I will check with them for the last statistics and if there is an increase in the cases this year.”

Meanwhile, Bulawayo city’s public relations officer, Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya, dismissed clai-ms by officials at UBH and Mpilo Hospital that the quality of water could have caused the outbreak in Bulawayo.
“Cases of diarrhoea could be there, but they can be caused by other things like poor hygiene practiced by those affected.
“The quality of our drinking water is constantly and closely monitored. So far the quality of our water has been up to standard and it could not be the cause of the suspected diarrhoea,” said Miss Ngwenya.

There is also an outbreak of rotavirus, that can be transmitted by contaminated water, hands or objects.
It causes high fever and serious dehydration in children under the age of five. – Herald Reporter-Chronicle Reporter.

You Might Also Like

Comments