Kenya has recorded 4,821 cholera cases and 85 deaths since the outbreak on October 10 last year, as concern has been raised over counties lacking reagents to test for the illness.
The disease – which was first reported in Limuru, Kiambu County – on October 8, continues to spread and has now been recorded in 15 counties.
According to a February 14 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, Kenya is among the top five countries in Africa with the highest number of infections. The country’s case fatality ratio is 1.8 per cent.
“Parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia are facing drought that has affected sources of clean water, with residents forced to use the scarce and contaminated water,” Dr Otim said.
According to the Ministry of Health, Nairobi County leads with 29 deaths, followed by Tana River with 17.
The country has recorded 4,845 cases, with Garissa leading with 2,012 cases. Tana River has registered 730 cases, Nairobi (624), Kiambu (380), Wajir (326), Machakos (268) and Mandera 219.
Hospitals in Nairobi are also recording active cases. The hospitals have started taking precautions to ensure the disease is controlled. Several counties have suspended the hawking of food. Schools, on the other hand, are giving oral vaccination to children.
Two temporary tents put up by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without borders) to be used by people showing signs of being infected with cholera at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor I Nation Media Group
From the Ministry of Health, division of disease surveillance and response, the disease cannot be controlled faster because most healthcare workers in 14 of the 16 affected counties do not have the capacity to identify and manage cholera patients on time.
The Ministry of Health also indicated that inadequate resources to facilitate critical response pillars limit response capacity in detecting, investigating, and follow-up on cases (especially lack of laboratory reagents).Also read: Three die of cholera in Wajir as 29 cases are reported
Researchers who published their work in the International Journal of Public Health warned that neglecting cholera prevention services, especially in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene, was a ticking time bomb.
“All we need to do is start educating people on the risk that comes with poor handling of food and they also need to observe hygiene by boiling water before drinking. With the drought that has hit the country, water is scarce and people are consuming dirty water. We may record more cases,” Dr Lusi said.
The outbreak was first reported in October last year by a group of people who had attended a wedding in Kiambu County. The outbreak has since spread across other countiesSurveillance in top gear to contain cholera outbreak in Nyanza
“People need to be better sensitised about water and food hygiene. The government, especially county governments, need to do better in terms of water supply since its scarcity is contributing to the whole mess,” he said.
have been neglected now and the ripple effect is felt in the rising number of cholera cases.
Cholera is enabled and transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water.
