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Kasese District health officials want to extend the fight against the cholera epidemic to neigbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The officials last week confirmed the outbreak of cholera in the district which has seen 10 people admitted to Bwera hospital.
The district health inspector, Mr Stephen Bagonza, said the outbreak has been reported in DRC villages neighbouring Uganda, prompting the district authorities to devise means of reaching out to people on the DRC side so as to stop the disease from further spreading to Kasese.
The district health educator, Mr Sem Kabinga, told Daily Monitor at the weekend that the health team would ask for permission to cross to DRC side and sensitise people about the disease. “We have to cross to DRC to help curb the spread of the disease. Unless we do so, we shall continue getting problems,” Mr Kabinga said.
Dr Timothy Muke, a doctor at Bwera hospital, said the epidemic could have spread to Kasese from Lubiriha Town in DRC where it was first reported.
Health officials said DRC nationals who visit Bwera hospital could have spread the disease. The deputy RDC, Mr Aminadabu Muhindo, said they have set up a task force that will soon start field operations to sensitise residents on hygiene and sanitation.
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