Cholera outbreak in Kisumu County kills three

Three people have been killed following a cholera outbreak in Kisumu County, health officials have confirmed.

Dr. Gregory Ganda, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Medical Services, Health, and Sanitation, revealed that tests confirmed all three fatalities were due to cholera.

“We are deeply saddened by these losses. Our priority is containing the outbreak and preventing further fatalities,” Ganda said.

In a statement, Dr Ganda further stated that the first cases emerged on March 19, 2024, at Ahero County Hospital in Nyando Sub-county.

So far, 15 cases have been reported, with six confirmed through laboratory tests conducted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Dr. Ganda said.

He further explained that the tests identified multiple pathogens responsible for the increasing cases of watery diarrhea in the region.

The CEC announced that 11 patients have recovered and been discharged, assuring the public that the county health department has intensified efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

He noted that the county government has deployed Rapid Response Teams, strengthened disease surveillance, and rolled out hygiene awareness campaigns to curb further spread, also adding that an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated to streamline response efforts.

Dr. Ganda called on Kisumu residents to take precautionary measures, such as boiling or treating drinking water, maintaining proper hygiene, and seeking medical care immediately if they experience symptoms like diarrhea, dehydration, or vomiting.

Residents in the county have also been told to report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility or contact the Emergency Operations Center through the toll-free number 0800 720 575.