According to Dr. Denis Ocula Omoya, the Lamwo District Health Officer, the district has now met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria for declaring a cholera-free zone, which requires two consecutive incubation periods (10 days each) without any new cases.
The cases were reported from Ocettoke East village, where a family of seven was rushed to Kitgum General Hospital (KGH) after exhibiting symptoms of cholera.
Titus Komakech, Kitgum's surveillance focal point person, revealed that the patient was isolated at Kitgum General Hospital last week following a positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) result.
The cholera outbreak, first reported on January 5, 2025, in Agoro Sub-county, has affected the parishes of Laruc, Pobaa, Lupulungii, and Ngacino. It is attributed to contaminated water sources, particularly the Okura stream, and suspected links to individuals from South Sudan who attended a market on December 22, 2024.
The patient was admitted on Sunday evening, and a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) has returned positive for cholera. However, the hospital is awaiting Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results sent to Entebbe for confirmation.
Williams Komakech, the Lamwo Resident District Commissioner and Chairperson of the Lamwo District Cholera Taskforce announced that the ban will remain in place until the outbreak is brought under control. Security forces have been deployed to enforce the ban and ensure that markets remain closed.
