Cholera hits Kupiano, 2 cases positive

TWO people from Kupiano in Central’s Abau district have tested positive at the weekend, fuelling threats of more increases in the area if the cholera situation worsens, The National reports.

Medical response coordinator for the NCD cholera task force Dr Nicko Wuata said the two were among six admitted to the cholera treatment centre at the St John Hospital in Gerehu on Sunday.

And one person from Koki in NCD was among the weekend admissions.

Wuatai said of the six admitted, three were from Central; one from Bereina in Kairuku and two from Kupiano in Abau district.

He said the two from Kupiano were very sick as they had to travel long distances to get to the treatment centre, and tested positive for cholera, adding the situation there was very serious.

NCD cholera task force leader Dr Timothy Pyakalyia said suspected cases for NCD had gone past 750 as of last Thursday.

 “Our problem still remains; we cannot solve the problem, but to prevent it.

“People must protect their water sources and look after themselves by practicing good hygiene.”

St John officers have gone to Kupiano to set up a cholera treatment centre there to cater for the increasing number of patients from the area.

The Four Square, Salvation Army and Seventh-Day Adventist churches and St John staff have stepped in to assist Central health authorities with manpower to work at the Kupiano Health Centre.