Cholera Alert in Kitgum After Boy Tests Positive on Easter Sunday
kakooza Peter
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Health officials in Kitgum District, Uganda, are warning the public after a suspected cholera case was reported on Easter Sunday, raising concerns about a possible outbreak in the area.
The patient is a 10-year-old boy from Akwang Sub-county, who tested positive for cholera strain O1 using a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). He is now being treated in an isolation unit at Kitgum General Hospital.
According to Titus Komakech, the district’s surveillance officer, a sample has already been collected and is on its way to Kampala’s Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) for further testing using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, which offers more accurate results.
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Komakech said health workers are now increasing monitoring and emergency response efforts across the district. The District Health Team (DHT) is also working with other health groups to investigate how the child got infected and to stop the disease from spreading.
“We are asking all residents to take extra care, especially now during the rainy season,” Komakech advised. “People should drink only clean water, keep good hygiene, and go to the hospital quickly if they have symptoms.”
Health teams are also focusing on educating communities about the importance of clean water, proper handwashing, and good sanitation. Authorities say they will continue to monitor the situation and are ready to act if more cases appear.
This marks the eighth suspected cholera case in Kitgum in 2025. Earlier this year in February, seven suspected cases were recorded, but only one was confirmed through PCR testing.
Officials are reminding the public that simple habits like handwashing and using safe water can help prevent the spread of cholera and other diseases.
