The locality of Shempunu, Waloa Uroba group, in the territory of Walikale (North Kivu), has reported for a few days, a disease whose main symptom is vomiting blood.
According to Doctor Yves Tsongo, chief medical officer of Kibua zone, this disease is recorded in his health zone, in the health air of Ntoto, and only 2 cases are known.
“I sent a team to go and investigate this disease. There are two cases which made bloody vomiting, but according to the doctor who is there, he told me that it is linked to the ulcer. These two patients received at the referral health center have been stabilized and are alive at the moment, “the Kibua zone chief doctor told ACTUALITE.CD.
Still according to him, this vomiting of blood is due to the excessive consumption of adulterated drinks.
“The people of this locality are used to consuming the alcoholic drink called Lotoko. This drink is the main activity of the whole population of this locality. So it is the consequence of taking this indigenous drink that ‘we are in the process of manufacturing. We are raising awareness among the population to see how to avoid this story, because later it could create serious complications that we will not be able to control; but it will be difficult because it’ is their main activity, and it costs less than beer. So it is not an unknown disease, because the health zone organizes epidemiological surveillance in this locality, and each week, we assess the situation with the air of health, ”he added.
On the other hand, Mercy Lukonk Prospère, a resident of Walikale, affirms that this disease has already caused about ten cases, 90% of which have died.
“In the Waloa Uroba group, this disease is characterized by vomiting of blood. We already have 10 cases, 9 of which have died. I myself carried out investigations, in 3 different villages: the village of Mera in the locality of Shempunu, which has recorded more cases and where the first patients started; Nsindo village in Banarugisa locality and Kaweza village. The part where this disease is found, there are no good laboratories to make a global diagnosis, “he told ACTUALITE.CD.
Lukonk Prospère says the local population is worried and distressed for fear of losing a loved one to the disease.
Thérèse Ntumba
–
