BY MALISH VALENTINE ADOLFO – TORIT
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, has confirmed that approximately 200 people have died from suspected cholera cases across the state.
Speaking at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Sunday, the governor urged residents to adhere strictly to preventive measures, including avoiding handshakes and maintaining hygiene in social and religious gatherings, to curb the rapid spread of the disease.
“Let us maintain the guideline to save our life, this cholera disease is dangerous, it kills in a very short time. We have lost almost two hundred people since the outbreak of cholera in Eastern Equatoria State. We are also recommending in the church to avoid greeting, and Holy Communion should be received through hand so that it will not spread to other people. And at our homes, let us not shake hands. Also, in hospitals, let us avoid greeting people.”
Governor Lobong noted the government’s difficulty in enforcing movement restrictions, as people continue to travel—often through the bush—seeking necessities, which contributes to the spread of the disease.
“It started in Ikotos. We could have said, nobody from Ikotos should come to Torit, or nobody from here should go to Ikotos, but it is very difficult to stop people. There are those who are moving through bush, and we cannot provide them with what they need. They must move and look for basic needs. If it is other places, people have been restricted from movement.
Health workers fear that people will not quickly apply the preventative measures to stop the debases outbreak