Twenty-two confirmed cholera cases reported in Namibia’s Otjozondjupa region

The Otjozondjupa health directorate has reported 22 confirmed positive cases of cholera and 96 suspected cases.

This was confirmed by the region’s health director, Gerbhado Timotheus, last week.

“The first positive case was reported on 19 November last year, and by 25 November, that number increased to five,” he said.

The disease originated from the Kap n Bou informal settlement, which at the time had no water and open defecation was normal, he added.

Kap n Bou was created in 2017, approximately five kilometres south of Grootfontein’s central business district.

So far, no fatality has been recorded and there has been no transmission to medical doctors, nurses, social workers or cleaners, said Timotheus.

Grootfontein senior medical officer Dr Martinus Shaninga says cholera is a diarrheal infectious disease caused by a bacterium spread through contaminated water.

So far, cholera has reached many locations, including the Juliana government farm, some 70 kilometres north of Grootfontein.

“We are managing as these positive cases were treated and people were discharged. By Thursday, only two patients were still admitted in a stable condition,” says Shaninga.

He states that public awareness campaigns on the disease continue, with Kap n Bou now having five water taps and three 10 000-litre water tanks being refilled by the government.

Another treatment centre inside the hospital premises will be created this week, he says.

Kap n Bou resident Paulus Shipikita calls on the municipality to channel enough drinking water to the area and impound all free-roaming pigs, goats, donkeys and cattle, saying livestock are disease carriers.

Grootfontein mayor Morits Geingob says the disease poses a great challenge and the newly elected council is currently in Windhoek soliciting funds.

“Council only had N$100 000 for this, yet cholera continues threatening lives. Imagine, with schools opening on Monday, what can happen,” he says.

The Grootfontein municipality plans to extend the sewage line to Kap n Bou, he says, warning livestock owners to expect the council to deal with their animals this year.

– Nampa

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.