6 counties have been put on high alert after 61 cumulative confirmed cases of cholera. The outbreaks origin is still being traced to a wedding festival that was held in Kiambu County. The number of confirmed cases are spread across the counties as; Kiambu (31), Nairobi (17), Murang’a (1), Kajiado (2), Nakuru (2) and Uasin Gishu (8) counties.

“Out of 61 cases of cholera reported, 13 people are currently hospitalized while eight have been discharged with forty treated as outpatients. The National Public Health Microbiology Laboratory has isolated Vibrio cholera-01-Ogawa as the responsible serotype,” Ag. DG, Dr. Patrick Amoth.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is an extremely virulent disease which affects both children and adults and can kill within hours. People with low immunity such as malnourished children or people living with HIV are at a greater risk of death if infected. Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate environmental management.

The Ministry of Health predicts that the ongoing drought season may worsen the outbreak. Recommending that the county health management should conduct active search for acute watery diarrhoea in health facilities and within the communities for missed/unreported cases. And to also strengthen surveillance activities up to the village level.

“Other measures include developing an appropriate preparedness & response plan for sub-counties to prevent propagation of any potential outbreak & plan for sustained contact tracing, ensuring isolation of cholera cases in the wards as well as strengthening community sensitisation. The Sub-county health management teams should re-activate the outbreak management teams at all levels, improve lab capacity for specimen collection & shipment, enhance involvement of other stakeholder’s e.g. county & sub-county commissioners, communities, water agencies & partners,” Dr. Patrick Amoth.