Water tanks polluted

LAST month’s typhoid outbreak that saw the University of Goroka declared an emergency zone has been downgraded, according to the Vice-Chancellor prof Musawe Sinebare.
He said 400 students tested positive for typhoid and the university was managing the situation.
According to UOG’s website, there were more than 4,000 registered students so 10 per cent of the student body was affected.
He said the school’s health workers were working closely with the Goroka hospital personnel in ensuring that the students got their medicines and completed their treatment.
In terms of the possible causes Sinabare said they had “narrowed it down to our water supply”.
“The town (Goroka) water supply was tested and the results were negative for typhoid.
“The town water supply is okay.”
He said the problem was with some of the water tanks in the school.
“Our holding tanks over the years have not been cleaned therefore we suspected there was bacteria build up.
“We are now flushing the tanks and cleaning them ,including chlorinating the water,” Sinebare said.
He said they were making the water in their tanks safe and drinkable.
Students and staff were encouraged to observe basic hygiene practices.