SUMBAWANGA (Tanzania), Feb 4 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — SUMBAWANGA District Commissioner Nyakia Chirukie has confirmed that a cholera outbreak in Senga Ward, Sumbawanga Municipality, has led to the deaths of two children.
In the course, eleven patients have been admitted to Dr Atman District Hospital in Christ the King area, with laboratory tests confirming that all cases are cholera positive.
Chirukie urged residents to adopt preventive measures, such as washing hands with soap before meals and after using the toilet and ensuring drinking water is boiled or treated.
The outbreak is believed to have originated from a gathering in Senga Village, where mourners may have consumed contaminated food or water.
In response to the outbreak, Chirukie has banned food vendors from selling at schools and prohibited the sale of local brews in the area.
“The fight against cholera requires a collective effort. This is a matter of life and death. Poor sanitation is the root cause and maintaining proper hygiene is the best defence,” he emphasised.
He also highlighted the need for ongoing environmental cleanliness, urging households to practice proper waste disposal and ensure access to hygienic toilets.
Cholera spreads through contaminated food and water and can cause severe dehydration, diarrhoea and vomiting, potentially leading to death within hours if untreated.
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), cholera outbreaks increased by 145 per cent in 2022, largely due to extreme weather and climate change, which worsen water contamination.
Cholera continues to be a major global health threat, affecting 3-5 million people each year and causing up to 130,000 deaths. Prevention depends on improved sanitation, clean water access and public awareness. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
