Kenya Issues national cholera outbreak alert

The government has declared a national alert against cholera following four deaths reported across the country.

The country has been experiencing a Cholera outbreak since early May 2017, with the first two cases were reported in Mathare area, Nairobi.

Director of Medical Services, Dr Jackson Kioko, said in a statement sent to newsrooms that the ministry has heightened surveillance for acute watery diarrhoea by conducting active case search and contact tracing to curb more deaths.

“As a response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with County governments and various partners have taken measures to ensure public safety,” said Dr Kioko.

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The ministry of health has since deployed the national outbreak management and rapid response teams across the country to mitigate the cholera outbreak.

Cumulatively, a total of 146 cases including 4 deaths (Case Fatality Rate = 3%) have been reported as at 21st May 2017.

The cases are distributed as follows: Garissa (88 cases), Nairobi (29 cases with 1 death), Vihiga (15 cases with 2 deaths), Mombasa (2 cases), Murang’a (11 cases with 1 death) and Kiambu (1 case).

Cholera is an infectious disease which presents with sudden onset of watery diarrhea and vomiting associated with ingestion of contaminated water and/or food with cholera germs.

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The Ministry of Health wishes to reassure Kenyans that it will continue to monitor and coordinate response with an aim of bringing it to an end as quickly as possible.

The public has been advised to be on high alert and refer any suspected cases of Cholera or acute watery diarrhea to the nearest health facility for assessment and management.

“Members of the public should ensure that they observe proper sanitation and maintain high standards of personal hygiene including proper hand washing before eating food and visiting the toilet,” Dr Kioko said.