Hepatitis E hits Omusati
Five confirmed cases of the contagious liver disease were reported at the Tsandi clinic, three at Outapi and two at other clinics in the region.
The governor of the Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala, has warned inhabitants of his region to maximise all aspects of general hygiene as the region is faced with an outbreak of hepatitis E.
Endjala made the call while addressing the Omagongo Cultural Festival at Onalushwa village near Tsandi over the weekend. He said so far ten cases had been confirmed and 41 individuals showing symptoms were under medical observation.
“While we are enjoying this festival we must also take into consideration our basic hygiene practices as the region is faced with a hepatitis E outbreak,” he said.
Endjala told Namibian Sun that the health directorate reported to him last week that among the confirmed cases, five were reported at the Tsandi clinic, three at Outapi and two at other clinics in the region.
He said emergency services employees were dispatched throughout the region to assess the situation.
“The health ministry has sent emergency services employees to the region and they are currently assessing the situation. They are screening those showing symptoms and quarantining them as necessary.
They are operating from the district hospital at Outapi and they are also visiting various clinics,” Endjala said.
He said during the national clean-up on Friday the regional government alerted the public to take hygiene seriously.
“It is our duty as a nation to maximise hygiene at all times. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the inhabitants of Omusati Region for participating in the national clean-up campaign on Friday. Let us continue the good work by living in a clean environment to prevent diseases,” he urged.
Health permanent secretary Petronella Masabane could not be reached for comment.
Two of Windhoek's informal settlements, Havana and Goreangab, experienced the same outbreak, first reported on 13 October last year. By March this year, the death toll stood at ten: four men and six maternal deaths.
The health ministry at the time said that roughly three-quarters of those infected were between the ages of 20 and 39. Havana reported 524 cases and Goreangab 242.
Typical signs and symptoms of hepatitis include an initial phase of mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting lasting a few days. Some patients may experience abdominal pain, itching (without skin lesions), skin rashes, or joint pain.
To combat the disease, the World Health Organisation recommends the improvement of access to safe water and proper sanitation through different methods, including at-home water purification techniques.
The water quality should be regularly monitored in affected areas. The number of latrines should be increased to address the issue of open defecation. In addition, waste management and the overall hygiene practices should be improved.
ILENI NANDJATO
Endjala made the call while addressing the Omagongo Cultural Festival at Onalushwa village near Tsandi over the weekend. He said so far ten cases had been confirmed and 41 individuals showing symptoms were under medical observation.
“While we are enjoying this festival we must also take into consideration our basic hygiene practices as the region is faced with a hepatitis E outbreak,” he said.
Endjala told Namibian Sun that the health directorate reported to him last week that among the confirmed cases, five were reported at the Tsandi clinic, three at Outapi and two at other clinics in the region.
He said emergency services employees were dispatched throughout the region to assess the situation.
“The health ministry has sent emergency services employees to the region and they are currently assessing the situation. They are screening those showing symptoms and quarantining them as necessary.
They are operating from the district hospital at Outapi and they are also visiting various clinics,” Endjala said.
He said during the national clean-up on Friday the regional government alerted the public to take hygiene seriously.
“It is our duty as a nation to maximise hygiene at all times. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the inhabitants of Omusati Region for participating in the national clean-up campaign on Friday. Let us continue the good work by living in a clean environment to prevent diseases,” he urged.
Health permanent secretary Petronella Masabane could not be reached for comment.
Two of Windhoek's informal settlements, Havana and Goreangab, experienced the same outbreak, first reported on 13 October last year. By March this year, the death toll stood at ten: four men and six maternal deaths.
The health ministry at the time said that roughly three-quarters of those infected were between the ages of 20 and 39. Havana reported 524 cases and Goreangab 242.
Typical signs and symptoms of hepatitis include an initial phase of mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting lasting a few days. Some patients may experience abdominal pain, itching (without skin lesions), skin rashes, or joint pain.
To combat the disease, the World Health Organisation recommends the improvement of access to safe water and proper sanitation through different methods, including at-home water purification techniques.
The water quality should be regularly monitored in affected areas. The number of latrines should be increased to address the issue of open defecation. In addition, waste management and the overall hygiene practices should be improved.
ILENI NANDJATO
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