Be on alert over cholera outbreak, Kenyans told

Kenyans have been urged to remain vigilant following a cholera outbreak that has affected 69 individuals, according to the Ministry of Health.

The outbreak is primarily concentrated in Nairobi, Migori, and Kisumu counties, with five reported deaths, including that of a 46-year-old man in Nairobi.

Migori County has been the hardest hit, with 43 reported cases, 27 of which are male and 16 female. Health authorities in the area confirmed one fatality linked to the outbreak.

Contamination of the Migori River has been identified as the primary source of the cholera spread.

Additionally, Kuria East, with 21 reported cases, and Kuria West, with 16 cases, are among the hardest-hit areas in Migori.

Within these regions, Sakuri B in Kuria East and Namba in Kuria West have been identified as the most affected villages.

In Kisumu, cholera has claimed three lives, with 15 confirmed cases to date. The majority of those affected are women, accounting for nine cases, while men make up the remaining six.

In Nairobi, 11 cases have been reported, with one fatality.

The highest number of cases has been recorded in Kasarani, with five people affected, followed by three cases in Kibra, two in Dagoretti, and one in Embakasi Central.

Nairobi County’s Chief Public Health Officer, Muchira Nyakaba, has urged hospitals to activate rapid response teams and enforce cholera control measures.

Hospitals have been instructed to promptly report any suspected cases to facilitate quick identification and management of new infections, helping to prevent further spread.

Additionally, healthcare facilities are required to submit daily updates on new cases and cholera response efforts to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by 9:00 a.m. each day.

Nairobi residents have also been encouraged to enhance their hygiene practices and follow preventive measures to reduce the risk of further cholera infections.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection that can kill within hours if left untreated, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

It remains a global public health threat, causing between 1.3 million to 4.0 million cases and 21,000 and 143,000 deaths worldwide every year.