Health authorities have confirmed an outbreak of cholera in Elegu Town Council, Amuru District, after 14 suspected samples tested positive at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Laboratory.
The samples were sent for testing last week following reports of 14 individuals, including a four-year-old child, exhibiting severe symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea in the busy border town, located at the Uganda-South Sudan border.
Milton Okello, the Amuru District Surveillance Focal Point Officer, confirmed that the laboratory results, released over the weekend, confirmed the presence of the highly contagious waterborne disease.
Okello further noted that 13 additional people have been isolated at Bibia Health Center III, showing symptoms consistent with cholera.
Preliminary tests conducted with Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) also turned positive for suspected cholera.
In total, 27 individuals are now in isolation across various health facilities, with the majority receiving treatment at Bibia Health Center III.
By Saturday, authorities had traced 84 contacts, and Okello warned that the number of cases could continue to rise if standard operating procedures are not strictly followed by the local community in Elegu.
Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner, addressed the situation this morning, confirming that the district is in close communication with the Ministry of Health.
He reported that a task force had already been established to manage the outbreak and expressed optimism that the situation would be contained.
Oceng also assured that adequate medical supplies for treating cholera patients remain in stock, particularly at Bibia Health Center III, where many of the patients are being treated.
By Newsroom
7th July 2025
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