Haut-Katanga 1: Nicolas Nyange raises awareness of cholera epidemic among pupils

A cholera outbreak was declared last Monday in Haut-Katanga Province, which has already recorded 160 cases—including 16 deaths—in just one month. Taking advantage of “Mobile Wednesday,” education authorities visited schools in the Lubumbashi 2 educational subdivision—located between the Katuba and Kenya communes—to raise awareness about the transmission chain of this disease. Cholera is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration and is generally transmitted through water. Students, teachers, administrative staff, parents, and school administrators must adopt new habits and urgently comply with the prevention and protection measures issued by the Provincial Ministry of Health, Hygiene, and Prevention. “The cholera epidemic has struck our province, according to information from the Provincial Ministry of Health. You must now adopt new habits to avoid falling victim to this deadly disease. You will recognize it by diarrhea and vomiting, according to health professionals. Wash your hands regularly with clean water and soap after using the restroom. Sanitize your schoolyard, mop your classrooms, and do not eat cold foods. “Refrain from shaking hands, because cholera is a disease spread by dirty hands,” said Nicolas Nyange Bizy. While visiting educational institutions—Guilgal, Neema, Tantine Marthe, E.P. 1, 2, and 3 in Katuba 2, Nyota ya Zaïre, and Maadibisho— Tuelemishe, Anuarité, and Maua, education officials also emphasized school hygiene, as directed by the minister in charge, Tony Mwaba Kazadi, who wants school environments to be regularly sanitized, restroom facilities to be maintained daily, and cleaning to take place every Saturday after school hours. Nicolas Nyange also reiterated the strict prohibition on the collection of illegal fees in schools during the first-semester exam period. The province of Haut-Katanga is not the only one affected by cholera; in neighboring Lualaba, another province of the former Katanga, more than 500 cases, including 26 deaths, have been recorded over the past three months in several health zones. Dan de Dieu Kayanda