The Kenyan government has raised an alarm over a cholera outbreak that has already affected 69 people and claimed five lives, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health on Friday.
The Ministry confirmed that the outbreak is spreading quickly in Nairobi, Migori, and Kisumu counties. Health officials revealed that one of the victims was a 46-year-old man from Nairobi who succumbed to the disease.
Migori County has been hit the hardest, with a total of 43 confirmed cholera cases. Out of these, 27 are male patients while 16 are female.
One person has died in the county as a result of the disease. Health authorities in Migori have linked the outbreak to contamination in River Migori, which is suspected to be the main source of the infection.
In particular, Kuria East and Kuria West sub-counties have reported the highest number of cases in Migori, with 21 and 16 cases respectively.
Within these sub-counties, Sakuri B village in Kuria East and Namba village in Kuria West have been identified as the most severely affected areas.
Meanwhile, in Kisumu County, officials have confirmed that three people have died from cholera and a total of 15 cases have been reported so far.
The majority of those affected in Kisumu are women, with nine female patients and six male patients.
The most impacted areas include Kogoro and Kaluga villages in Nyando, as well as Ombeyi village in Muhoroni.
The Ministry of Health has indicated that the use of unsafe water in these communities is contributing to the rapid spread of the disease.
In Nairobi County, 11 cholera cases have been documented. Tragically, one person has died. The most affected parts of the city include Kasarani with five cases, Kibra with three, Dagoretti with two, and Embakasi Central with one case.
In response to the outbreak, Nairobi County’s Chief Public Health Officer, Muchira Nyakaba, has directed all health facilities to activate rapid response teams and enforce cholera control measures.
He emphasized the importance of early detection and quick reporting to help manage the situation.
Hospitals have been instructed to immediately report any suspected cholera cases for prompt action. This will assist health workers in identifying and isolating new cases quickly to prevent further spread.
Health facilities are also required to submit daily reports on all new cholera cases and related activities to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by 9:00 a.m. every day.
Additionally, Nairobi residents have been strongly advised to enhance their personal hygiene and sanitation habits. The public has been reminded that cholera mainly spreads through contaminated food and water.
A public health expert warned: “We urge all Nairobi residents and Kenyans at large to be extremely careful about what they consume.
Cholera enters the body through the mouth, so be very cautious with the food and drinks you take. Clean water and proper hygiene can save lives.”
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation closely and is working with county health departments to contain the outbreak before it spreads further.
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