BURUNDI: Capital hit by cholera outbreak

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BUJUMBURA, 19 Jan 2005 (IRIN) - The Ministry of Public Health registered 88 cases of cholera by Tuesday in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, and so far, three people are known to have died of the water-borne disease since 12 January when the outbreak was first reported.

Eradicating the cholera may prove difficult in Bujumbura's neighbourhoods where people lack toilet facilities, the director general of the ministry, Dr Georges Nsengiyumva, told IRIN on Wednesday.

Many poor neighbourhoods currently lack any water as the water company disconnected public fountains because Bujumbura's city council reportedly failed to pay the bills.

The epidemic began after heavy rains reportedly affected water treatment equipment of the water utility, known as Regideso.

The greatest number of cases has occurred in the neighbourhood of Kamenge in the north of the capital. It is there where the first case was identified, Nsengiyumva said, "and now 64 cases have been reported there".

Eight cases have also been reported in the neighbourhood of Bwiza, four cases in Buyenzi, as well as others in Ngagara, Musaga and Cibitoke.

Enough medicine is currently available, Nsengiyumva said. The majority of patients are admitted to two hospitals in Bujumbura where patients are treated free of charge. Forty-eight patients are at the Princes Regent Charles hospital, its director, Dr Ignace Nzotungwanayo, told IRIN on Wednesday.

A special health facility opened in Kamenge on Wednesday.

"We will forward all the patients there as it has the capacity," Nsengiyumva said.

[ENDS]