Cholera Outbreak Claims Five Lives Across Nairobi, Kisumu, and Migori Counties
A cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of five people and left 69 others infected in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Migori counties. The Ministry of Health has confirmed the spread of the disease, urging hospitals to activate rapid response teams to contain and prevent further transmission.
The five fatalities include a 46-year-old man from Nairobi, where 11 cholera cases have been confirmed. Of the 11 cases in Nairobi, three patients are still hospitalized, three have been discharged, and five have fully recovered. The cases are spread across various areas, including Kasarani (5), Kibra (3), Dagoretti (2), and Embakasi Central (1).
Migori County remains the most affected by the outbreak, with 43 confirmed cases since the first reported case on February 5. The outbreak in the region was officially confirmed on February 21 after the first patient, a mother treated at Solbrit Hospital, later passed away. Hotspots in Migori include Sakuri B village in Kuria East and Namba village in Kuria West. Kuria East has recorded 21 cases, Kuria West 16, Suna West three, and Suna East three.
In Kisumu County, 15 cases have been confirmed, with 13 cases reported in Nyando and two in Muhoroni. The Ministry of Health confirmed three deaths in Kisumu, two of which occurred at the community level, and one was verified through stool sample testing. Hotspots in Kisumu include Kogoro Camp, Kaluga village in Nyando, and Ombeyi village in Muhoroni. One suspected case from Kajulu Ward is also under investigation.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has intensified surveillance efforts, including daily situation reports, case detection, contact tracing, and the deployment of rapid response teams at both the national and county levels. Health workers are also undergoing training, and the public is being educated on the importance of hygiene, disinfecting homes, and treating drinking water to reduce the risk of infection.
The Ministry is closely monitoring individuals who have been in contact with those infected and is providing necessary treatment. The public is urged to remain vigilant, report any symptoms promptly to healthcare authorities, and adhere to health guidelines to help curb the spread of the disease.
Raphael Muli, Secretary-General of the Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union in Nairobi, attributed the city’s vulnerability to cholera to illegal water connections and poor infrastructure. “Cholera is a faecal disease. When you have cholera, you have either eaten your faeces or someone else’s. Poor water infrastructure increases the risk of contamination, and even water chlorination can’t eliminate the bacteria if the sewage contaminants use up the chlorine,” Muli said.
As the outbreak continues to spread, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with various partners, is working tirelessly to address the crisis and protect the public from further harm. The government and health authorities urge residents to take preventive measures seriously to protect themselves and their communities.
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Cholera Outbreak Claims Five Lives Across Nairobi, Kisumu, and Migori Counties