Millions to fight Hepatitis E outbreak
The City of Windhoek will spend N$32 million in an effort to combat the outbreak of Hepatitis E that has affected close to 500 people in the capital's informal settlements.
The Hepatitis E virus was declared an outbreak in October last year by the health ministry. Since then almost 500 cases have been recorded.
Two people have since died from the virus, both pregnant women, who succumbed to Hepatitis E complications after giving birth.
Windhoek's mayor, Muesee Kazupua said N$17 million of the City's contribution to fight the outbreak will be spent during the 2017/18 financial year, which ends in June.
Kazupua said the money will be spent on building additional toilets as well as renovating existing toilets in the affected informal settlements such as Hakahana, Havana, Greenwell Matongo, Ombili and Goreangab. Additional municipal water points will also be provided in the affected areas. In an update about the outbreak, the health ministry last week said that there were 490 cases of Hepatitis E that have been reported. Out of these, 166 people tested positive. Another 308 epidemiological cases were reported in households where infected people lived.
There were still 119 suspected cases with pending laboratory results at that stage. Statistics indicated that the number of suspected cases among females was 212, while among males the number was 228.
The most affected age group the ministry said was the 20- to 39-year-old category. Furthermore, the Havana informal settlement is the most affected with 249 cases reported. This is due to a lack of toilets and potable water in the settlement.
Meanwhile, the ministry of health has also allocated N$3.7 million to contain the outbreak, while the Khomas Regional Council has committed N$2 million and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated more than N$724 000 to fighting the disease. The health ministry also investigated the water sources of people living in infected areas and found that 92% of residents get their water from communal taps. Water samples were also taken from the communal taps and were found to be “reasonably clean”. The containers used to collect water were also checked and it was found that 51% of people have open containers while 49% have closed containers. However, it was worrisome to find that in 55% of the containers used for water there was some indication of faecal matter.
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that can be prevented through good sanitation and the availability of clean drinking water.
Clean drinking water and sanitation, including frequent hand washing, are crucial in containing the rate of infection. The virus is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, principally via contaminated drinking water, and the disease is most common in areas with limited access to water, sanitation, weak hygiene and health services. Symptoms include jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale-coloured stool, joint pain, nausea and vomiting.
ELLANIE SMIT
The Hepatitis E virus was declared an outbreak in October last year by the health ministry. Since then almost 500 cases have been recorded.
Two people have since died from the virus, both pregnant women, who succumbed to Hepatitis E complications after giving birth.
Windhoek's mayor, Muesee Kazupua said N$17 million of the City's contribution to fight the outbreak will be spent during the 2017/18 financial year, which ends in June.
Kazupua said the money will be spent on building additional toilets as well as renovating existing toilets in the affected informal settlements such as Hakahana, Havana, Greenwell Matongo, Ombili and Goreangab. Additional municipal water points will also be provided in the affected areas. In an update about the outbreak, the health ministry last week said that there were 490 cases of Hepatitis E that have been reported. Out of these, 166 people tested positive. Another 308 epidemiological cases were reported in households where infected people lived.
There were still 119 suspected cases with pending laboratory results at that stage. Statistics indicated that the number of suspected cases among females was 212, while among males the number was 228.
The most affected age group the ministry said was the 20- to 39-year-old category. Furthermore, the Havana informal settlement is the most affected with 249 cases reported. This is due to a lack of toilets and potable water in the settlement.
Meanwhile, the ministry of health has also allocated N$3.7 million to contain the outbreak, while the Khomas Regional Council has committed N$2 million and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated more than N$724 000 to fighting the disease. The health ministry also investigated the water sources of people living in infected areas and found that 92% of residents get their water from communal taps. Water samples were also taken from the communal taps and were found to be “reasonably clean”. The containers used to collect water were also checked and it was found that 51% of people have open containers while 49% have closed containers. However, it was worrisome to find that in 55% of the containers used for water there was some indication of faecal matter.
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that can be prevented through good sanitation and the availability of clean drinking water.
Clean drinking water and sanitation, including frequent hand washing, are crucial in containing the rate of infection. The virus is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, principally via contaminated drinking water, and the disease is most common in areas with limited access to water, sanitation, weak hygiene and health services. Symptoms include jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale-coloured stool, joint pain, nausea and vomiting.
ELLANIE SMIT
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