KAMPALA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has launched the second phase of oral cholera vaccination campaign to prevent the disease outbreak as heavy rains intensify, the ministry of health said here on Wednesday.
The ministry in a statement said the vaccination in the five cholera hotspot districts of Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach, Bududa and Buliisa targets to protect 700,000 people.
"The vaccine is administered to all persons above one year of age and offers individuals protection up to 5 years. The vaccine will be given house to house by health workers," said the statement.
Uganda completed the first round of oral cholera vaccination campaign in May, 2018 aimed at containing an outbreak that left 45 Democratic Republic of the Congo refugees dead and over 2,000 others hospitalized.
At least 360,000 people that included refugees and locals were vaccinated in the exercise following the disease outbreak in Kyangwali and Kyaka Refugee Settlements in the western districts of Hoima and Kyegegwa.
Ruth Aceng, Uganda's health minister on Tuesday said the country is at risk of cholera as a result of the current heavy rains.
"Let's strive hard to stay cholera free by vaccinating, washing hands after using the toilet, using pit latrines and disposing of feces in the pit latrines, boiling drinking water and maintain a clean personal hygiene," said Aceng, while launching the vaccination in Zombo.
Cholera, according to the ministry, is a serious acute infectious disease characterized by watery diarrhea, vomiting and kills a person within hours.
It spreads by means of eating and drinking food contaminated with fecal matter of an infected person.
The World Health Organization recommends that vaccination against cholera be considered in emergencies and other high-risk scenarios where there are increased threats of outbreaks.
