Ministry of Health Confirms Cholera Outbreak in Six Counties
The Ministry of Health has now confirmed a Cholera outbreak in six counties, with 61 cases of the disease recorded.
Acting Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth issued a statement to counties stating that the cases were distributed as follows: Kiambu (31), Nairobi (17), Murang’a (1), Kajiado (2), Nakuru (2), and Uasin Gishu (8).
Dr. Amoth stated that 13 of the 61 cases are currently hospitalized, 8 have been discharged, and the remaining 40 were treated as outpatients.
“The National Public Health Microbiology Laboratory has isolated Vibrio cholera-01-Ogawa as the responsible serotype.
“In response to this, the Division of Disease Surveillance and Response (DDSR), Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program (FELTP) and the County Departments of Health of the affected counties have commenced response activities including field investigations, enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, risk communication, community engagement and environmental sanitation to prevent further spread of the disease and manage the outbreak,” noted Dr. Amoth.
“Noteworthy, the ongoing drought situation in the country may worsen the outbreak; it is therefore the Ministry’s decision to put all counties on high alert for possible cholera outbreaks.”
As a result, the ministry directed all county and sub-county health management teams to increase surveillance activities up to village leave and keep a close eye on patients with watery diarrhea.
The symptoms usually appear a few hours after infection.
The most common symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting. If the infected person handles food or water without using proper sanitary precautions, he or she may infect others.
Diarrhea progresses to complete watery diarrhea and vomiting, resulting in dehydration. If an infected person is not treated immediately, they may die.
How to Avoid Cholera
According to the World Health Organization, the long-term prevention of disease outbreaks is to maintain good hygiene and sanitation.
The healthcare system should also be on high alert for symptoms resembling acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration.
