Tweet
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200804180800.html
Namibia: Cholera Spreads to Oshana
The Namibian (Windhoek)
18 April 2008
Posted to the web 18 April 2008
Oswald Shivute
THE cholera outbreak that has so far been confined to the Ohangwena Region has now spread to Oshana too, regional Health Director Dr Naftali Hamata said yesterday.
In his weekly report as health co-ordinator for the northern flood response, Dr Hamata said two suspected cases of cholera had been reported at the Oshakati State Hospital, of which one had been confirmed.
The epidemic in Ohangwena is continuing, with the latest count standing at 1 219 suspected cases, with 13 deaths.
Neither Omusati nor Oshikoto has reported any cholera cases so far, Dr Hamata said.
The Omusati Region has so far reported 2 166 confirmed malaria cases and Oshana 238 confirmed cases.
In the Oshikoto Region 3 258 suspected malaria cases have been reported, and in Ohangwena 3 179, of which 219 have been confirmed.
Dr Hamata urged people to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito nets and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
The acting Flood Emergency Management Co-ordinator in the northern regions, Juditt Malambo, told the press briefing yesterday that no significant rainfall had been reported in the four northern regions for the past weeks.
Floodwaters have receded significantly, especially around Oshakati.
However, Malambo said some areas in all the regions were still cut off by the floodwater and thus not accessible.
"The rain disappeared from the catchments north of Namibia, resulting in the water levels in the Cuvelai oshana [delta] subsiding since the beginning of this month," she said.
According to the new flood situation report, 8 620 households with 79 793 people have been affected and a total of 2 014 houses destroyed in all four regions.
A total of 147 629 hectares of mahangu fields have been flooded and there is little hope of a harvest.
Malambo said 1 006 households, that is 3 461 people, had been resettled in the Oshana Region and 114 households of 552 people in Ohangwena.
Some schools have been provided with tents to house pupils who cannot go home because of the floods.
Donations worth at least N$832 074 have been received so far, she said.
Asked about the cost of the flood relief, Malambo said N$20 million was needed for food, fuel, tents, warehouse rental and security, sanitation, casual labourers, telephones, stationery, cleaning materials and other services.
This does not include a bill of N$176 831 from the Oshakati Town Council for services provided to the relocation centres from February to March this year, she said.
According to Malambo, the floods will have a long-term impact on local communities and the Government, its development partners and the private sector should be prepared to assist the communities not only with emergency relief but on long-term basis.
She said attention should be given to food security, health and the rehabilitation of State infrastructure.
Namibia: Cholera Spreads to Oshana
The Namibian (Windhoek)
18 April 2008
Posted to the web 18 April 2008
Oswald Shivute
THE cholera outbreak that has so far been confined to the Ohangwena Region has now spread to Oshana too, regional Health Director Dr Naftali Hamata said yesterday.
In his weekly report as health co-ordinator for the northern flood response, Dr Hamata said two suspected cases of cholera had been reported at the Oshakati State Hospital, of which one had been confirmed.
The epidemic in Ohangwena is continuing, with the latest count standing at 1 219 suspected cases, with 13 deaths.
Neither Omusati nor Oshikoto has reported any cholera cases so far, Dr Hamata said.
The Omusati Region has so far reported 2 166 confirmed malaria cases and Oshana 238 confirmed cases.
In the Oshikoto Region 3 258 suspected malaria cases have been reported, and in Ohangwena 3 179, of which 219 have been confirmed.
Dr Hamata urged people to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito nets and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers.
The acting Flood Emergency Management Co-ordinator in the northern regions, Juditt Malambo, told the press briefing yesterday that no significant rainfall had been reported in the four northern regions for the past weeks.
Floodwaters have receded significantly, especially around Oshakati.
However, Malambo said some areas in all the regions were still cut off by the floodwater and thus not accessible.
"The rain disappeared from the catchments north of Namibia, resulting in the water levels in the Cuvelai oshana [delta] subsiding since the beginning of this month," she said.
According to the new flood situation report, 8 620 households with 79 793 people have been affected and a total of 2 014 houses destroyed in all four regions.
A total of 147 629 hectares of mahangu fields have been flooded and there is little hope of a harvest.
Malambo said 1 006 households, that is 3 461 people, had been resettled in the Oshana Region and 114 households of 552 people in Ohangwena.
Some schools have been provided with tents to house pupils who cannot go home because of the floods.
Donations worth at least N$832 074 have been received so far, she said.
Asked about the cost of the flood relief, Malambo said N$20 million was needed for food, fuel, tents, warehouse rental and security, sanitation, casual labourers, telephones, stationery, cleaning materials and other services.
This does not include a bill of N$176 831 from the Oshakati Town Council for services provided to the relocation centres from February to March this year, she said.
According to Malambo, the floods will have a long-term impact on local communities and the Government, its development partners and the private sector should be prepared to assist the communities not only with emergency relief but on long-term basis.
She said attention should be given to food security, health and the rehabilitation of State infrastructure.