Cholera re-emerges in Kyela, 6 new cases

Kyela District Council�s executive director, Clement Kasongo

 CHOLERA has re-emerged in Kyela District, Mbeya Region with six new cases in just one week, authorities said on Monday.

 

Kyela District Council’s executive director, Clement Kasongo confirmed on the re-emergence of the disease saying that the affected wards include Matema which is on the shores of Lake Nyasa, Makwale, Ndobo and Lusungo in Ntebela Division.

 

Kasongo told reporters that for the first time the disease erupted in December last year affecting some wards in Unyakyusa and Ntebela divisions, “but we managed to contain it.”

 

He, however, said that last week the disease re-emerged in wards located in Ntebela Division and a team of health workers has camped in those wards and put in place strategies to address the epidemic. 

 

Kasongo also cited superstitious beliefs as compounding the problem as some people believe that they are being witched.

 

He said two people have allegedly been killed by angry mobs on suspicions that they were involved in causing the disease in their communities.

 

“Some people who are suspected of involvement in the killing of the two people have already been arrested,” Kasongo said.

 

He also said that there were some local leaders who are encouraging the susperstitious beliefs and convene meetings to name people who are blamed for spreading the disease, contravening the country’s laws.

 

“So far two village chairmen have been arrested in connection with convening village meetings which named people accused of spreading cholera,” the official said.

 

The district council has banned all public gatherings such as funerals, weddings, open markets and when it happens that someone dies people should disperse soon after the burial.