A laboratory at Mzuzu Central Hospital has found that a diarrhoea outbreak caused by a bacterial infection known as E.coli is the ‘strange’ disease that has hit the Tukombo area in Nkhata Bay.

Nkhata Bay District Hospital spokesperson Christopher Singini yesterday said the strain of bacteria has increased cases in the area from 50 as of Sunday to 69 yesterday.

He said within the same timeframe, two people have died, bringing the official tally to four deaths.

Said Singini: “We always have bacteria in our intestines. But the report shows that this strain is dangerous as it causes fever, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and vomiting.”

Mbendera: We have deployed a team

A 2022 report by the United States-based Johns Hopkins University links E.coli to eating undercooked or raw hamburger meat that is contaminated with the bacteria. 

Since that time, the report says outbreaks of E. coli type Escherichia Coli 0157 have been associated with other types of foods such as spinach, lettuce, sprouts, unpasteurised milk, and well water or surface water areas frequently visited by animals.

In Nkhata Bay, an investigation by health personnel from the district hospital found that the main link to the disease is unsafe water ratio, open defeacation and a low household to toilet, estimated at 13 to three. 

“The main link was observed to be unsafe water as all households sampled reported to be drinking water from Katudzi River and Lake Malawi,” reads the report authored by the senior assistant environmental health officer in the district, Mavuto Khomba.

In an earlier interview, Nkhata Bay District Council director of health and social services Mwatikonda Mbendera said his office has since deployed a team to sensitise communities to personal hygiene and sanitation.

“We also call upon non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to come in and assist in sensitising the masses,” he said.

The post Lab results confirm Tukombo diarrhoea outbreak appeared first on The Nation Online.