Ministry blames rise in cholera cases on water shortages, drought
By George.Kebaso, November 10, 2022The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to observe the highest levels of hygiene by ensuring that sources of food and water are safe as reported cholera cases rise.
Head of Public Health at the ministry Dr Francis Kuria warned yesterday that with the diminishing water resources occasioned by a severe drought in parts of the country, and ongoing water rationing, cases of cholera and other diseases were bound to increase.
Speaking on Milele FM yesterday, Kuria (pictured) attributed the increase in cholera cases to consumption of food from unhygienic eateries and drinking of water from unsafe sources.
Recently, there has been increased activity in commercial water supply especially in Nairobi and adjacent counties following water shortage occasioned by rationing. Taps in many city estates have been dry for more than two weeks.
“It’s always important to inquire where the numerous operators of the water boozers we are seeing around are sourcing their water from,” he said.
New cases
He said cholera cases had been reported in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties.
“However, in the last 24 hours we have not received any information on new cases,” he noted even as it emerged that 184 cholera cases have been reported in Machakos alone in about 48 hours.
A multiagency meeting on cholera outbreak in Machakos on Tuesday heard that 17 positive cases of cholera had been confirmed at the Machakos GK Prison and 165 at Machakos School for the Deaf.
“The patients have been isolated within the school and being attended to by Medical personnel from Machakos Level 5 Hospital,” the team headed by the deputy county commissione Machakos sub-county and the MOH heard at Machakos Level 5 Hospital boardroom.
The multi-agency meeting also heard one case each had been reported at Bishop Kioko Hospital, and another, a mechanic working at industrial area garages within Machakos.
The patient admitted at Bishop Kioko Hospital is said to have visited her sister in Machakos GK Prison over the weekend, and the other case is currently admitted at level Five Hospital.
“Commence with Immediate effect public sensitisation on cholera preventive measures through public meetings and local media; also ban hawking of food within Machakos Township with immediate effect,” the team said.
“Contact tracing is ongoing and people have been sent to his house at Makaburini,” the multi agency team was told.
Last month, acting Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth put all the counties on high alert, pointing out that the ongoing drought may worsen the outbreak.