By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Cholera and acute diarrhoea cases are on the increase in the Ohangwena Region with reports of more deaths and infection cases. A week ago, health authorities reported 343 cases, including those of diarrhoea. Now the number has escalated to a record 475 of which 27 were confirmed as cholera. Ten deaths from acute diarrhoea have been reported so far in the Engela district of the Ohangwena Region. About 17 cases of diarrhoea have been found in Opuwo, while other affected areas are Ruacana and Okatope in the north. In a brief interview with New Era yesterday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said the situation was under control with only one or two cases coming up every day. “In all instances, they are all imported cases. And the 10 deaths are due to a result of acute diarrhoea and not cholera,” said Dr Shangula, adding that most of the victims turn out to be elderly people with weak immune systems that make them more prone to the disease. However, public worry about the scare of a suspected cholera outbreak in the north resulted in May Day celebrations last week being cancelled by the National Union of Namibian Workers at Oshikango. The organizing union’s Deputy Secretary-General, Tadeus Erago, said that although the public rally was organized and scheduled for the border town, it had to be shelved due to fear of a cholera outbreak. The union was advised by the local health authority that it was not good to gather many people at one place because this would result in the spread of the communicable disease. Yet, with plans by government to hold another commemoration – Heroes Day in the Ohangwena Region in August this year, questions are being raised as to what would happen then. However, Shangula reassured that as long as the public carry out personal hygiene methods of washing their hands after visiting the toilet or before eating, the disease will be kept to a minimum. “As long as people observe elementary hygiene, the disease will not spread. It mainly occurs because of unhygienic conditions. The problem in Ohangwena is that of water – all tap water is closed and people make use of alternative water spots, like dams which are naturally not clean,” explained Shangula. The water remains closed due to non-payment by municipal authorities. In view of this, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is busy negotiating with Namwater to re-open the water for the sake of good health. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by a bacterium Vibrio Cholarae. It is mainly transmitted by drinking water from open sources such as ponds, rivers and wells. Eating contaminated food or food that is not well-cooked and unwashed raw fruits and vegetables can also transmit the bacteria. Symptoms include passing frequent loose watery stools that look like rice water and which have a “fishy odour”, vomiting and dehydration. The severity of the diarrhoea can easily lead to quick loss of body fluids and death if not treated immediately.