Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Zambia: Mystery Illness Needs Quick Identification
27 February 2009
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editorial
THE mysterious illness that has hit the people of Chisomo area in Serenje District needs to be quickly identified and contained to curb further loss of life among the villagers.
Since Wednesday when nine people died as the strange disease broke out, the death toll has quickly risen to 11 and could climb even further if the problem was not identified.
This may explain the panic that the disease has sent among the residents of Chisomo who are reportedly running away from medical authorities investigating the killer disease.
Be that as it may, it will not help these important investigations if the people of Chisomo do not cooperate with those tasked to address their problem.
It appears that the people of Chisomo may be running away from the health authorities out of ignorance and there is need to step up publicity on the importance of cooperating with the probe team.
The office of the district commissioner in Serenje can help address this problem by mobilising the opinion leaders such as teachers, pastors and traditional leaders to educate the people about the investigation.
The mobilisation of local opinion leaders needs to be done as a matter of urgency because any further delays may result in more deaths.
The local leaders have a duty to help in the sensitisation of the community and ensure that villagers there co-operate with the medical staff.
The staff on the ground have already ruled out cholera and we hope that those studying the samples will expedite the process and identify the disease.
From the reports, the disease may spread further as it appears to be highly infectious and kills quickly.
The fact that 11 people have died within a matter of days in itself renders the problem in Serenje an emergency and hopefully the ministry of Health will move in quickly. It is also hoped that movement to and from the area will be strictly monitored to avoid the spread of the disease.
http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200902270587.html
27 February 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
editorial
THE mysterious illness that has hit the people of Chisomo area in Serenje District needs to be quickly identified and contained to curb further loss of life among the villagers.
Since Wednesday when nine people died as the strange disease broke out, the death toll has quickly risen to 11 and could climb even further if the problem was not identified.
This may explain the panic that the disease has sent among the residents of Chisomo who are reportedly running away from medical authorities investigating the killer disease.
Be that as it may, it will not help these important investigations if the people of Chisomo do not cooperate with those tasked to address their problem.
It appears that the people of Chisomo may be running away from the health authorities out of ignorance and there is need to step up publicity on the importance of cooperating with the probe team.
The office of the district commissioner in Serenje can help address this problem by mobilising the opinion leaders such as teachers, pastors and traditional leaders to educate the people about the investigation.
The mobilisation of local opinion leaders needs to be done as a matter of urgency because any further delays may result in more deaths.
The local leaders have a duty to help in the sensitisation of the community and ensure that villagers there co-operate with the medical staff.
The staff on the ground have already ruled out cholera and we hope that those studying the samples will expedite the process and identify the disease.
From the reports, the disease may spread further as it appears to be highly infectious and kills quickly.
The fact that 11 people have died within a matter of days in itself renders the problem in Serenje an emergency and hopefully the ministry of Health will move in quickly. It is also hoped that movement to and from the area will be strictly monitored to avoid the spread of the disease.
http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200902270587.html