Cholera cases decrease in ESP

THE recent cholera outbreak in East Sepik is spreading slowly but on a notable phase across the province with over 300 reported cases.
Oxfam, an international non-governmental organisation working in the area, yesterday reported that at least 281 cases were confirmed by the provincial authorities’ surveillance unit.
This included eight cholera-related deaths, including two in the past week.
Oxfam Sepik region manager Andrew Rankin said the number of cases was increasing following new cases being reported at the Wewak General Hospital.
Provincial cholera response coordinator Dr John Sairere said rapid testing at Boram General Hospital had confirmed 15 cases for Wewak district since the first case was reported on Monday.
Dr Sairere said patients admitted at Wewak General Hospital were from Namba Two Basis, Meni, Boram and Turubu.
The latest inclusion was a case from Sima village in the Yangoru Saussia electorate.
In Angoram district, Kambaramba village had recorded the highest cases at 220.
Moim and the surrounding villages had 42 cases and Angoram station and neighbouring villages had 34 cases.
Dr Sairere was pleased that Kambaramba, which had the highest cases, and a care centre had no new cases in the last two days.
He urged everyone to follow the basic hygienic rules of washing hands after using the toilet, before meals and boiling all drinking water to prevent the spread of the virus.