By Michael Kpayili / Staff Writer
The Acting Chief Medical Officer of Liberia Dr. Moses Pewu has reported a severe cholera outbreak in Southeastern Liberia with four persons been recorded killed and over 254 cases currently under treatment.
Addressing a weekly United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Press briefing Wednesday in Monrovia, Dr. Pewu said the Cholera, which he termed as watery broke out on December 5, 2007 during which 49 of the 163 cases were so severe that it resulted into the death of two females. He said 88 cases of the Cholera were reported in Pleebo, Maryland County out of which, three were reported severe.
He however revealed that most of the affected Cholera patients have been treated and discharged while three persons are said to be undergoing treatment at the at the J.J. Dossen hospital.
The Acting Chief CMO said the Cholera cases were treated with IV infusion and later discharged. He further revealed that three suspected cases of Cholera were reported in Grand Kru County with two deaths reported. Dr. Pewu indicated that due to other extended difficulties experienced in Grand Kru County, they were unable to get specimen of the cholera outbreak but stressed that seven specimens were collected from Maryland County and sent to Monrovia for critical analysis. He said one of the seven specimens collected proved to be positive for Vibro Cholera Type one which illustrates the virus that causes cholera.
He said the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided medical and non-medical supplies for the Cholera Unit including 200 sachets of ORS, 40 bottles of 500 ml ringers lactate with 40 tubing 50 pieces of health cards among several others. He said other health related institution like Merlin provided Doxycycline, ringers and ORS.
Cholera outbreak is frequently noticed in rural Liberia where inhabitants in the areas are affected as the result of waterborne diseases. People use creeks and rivers to fetch water and use bushes for human waste.