Typhoid kills four, 540 others in hospital

Four people have died and 540 others have been hospitalised following an outbreak of typhoid fever in northwestern Rwanda, Desire Ndushabandi, the health ministry's secretary-general, told
IRIN on Thursday.

"We have embarked on an intensive campaign to sensitise the population on the need to improve their sanitation," he said.

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract and bloodstream. Its symptoms include sustained fever as high as 39-40 C, malaise, anorexia, headache, constipation or diarrhoea, rose-coloured spots on the chest area and enlarged spleen and liver. Those affected show symptoms in one to three weeks after exposure.

Ndushabandi said the outbreak, which began two weeks ago, was due to poor hygiene practices, especially drinking untreated water. The northwestern province of Ruhengeri, which has an estimated population of 900,000, is the most affected.

Ndushabandi said the first cases of typhoid were reported in the district of Kinigi, which borders the volcanic Virunga Mountains. The disease then spread to most other parts of the densely populated Ruhengeri Province.

"We have purchased the necessary drugs and are trying to promote awareness to prevent further spreading," he said. "For the moment the situation is under control."

He said his ministry was carrying out epidemiological surveillance, and was holding meetings with local leaders and the public in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.