The health department in Homa Bay county has issued a red alert after eight cases of cholera were confirmed at local hospitals.
In a press statement on Monday, January 9, Health CEC Roselyn Omollo said the first cases were detected at Marindi Sub-county Hospital on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Omollo revealed that as of Monday five members of one family had been treated and discharged.
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Three other patients are admitted at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital.
The origin of the cholera outbreak, Omollo said, has been traced to Achungo Village in Roma Bay Sub-county and the county has since taken necessary steps to contain the spread of the disease.
"We are taking the necessary steps to isolate and manage any patients who will seek services at any of our facilities," Omollo said.
To mitigate the outbreak, Omollo noted that a cholera alert has been issued from the office of the Director for Medical Services to all our sub-county facilities outlining the necessary steps to be taken and follow through actions.
In addition, all sub-county outbreak management teams have been activated and are on standby to respond to any cases.
"We have activated follow-up of cases up to household and ensured the correct containment measures are in place," she said adding that community sensitization is ongoing.
"All health facilities are on alert for case management."
The county has advised members of the public to seek medical treatment if they experience any watery diarrhoea and vomiting.
Cholera outbreak in Kenya
Other counties that have reported cases of cholera in the recent past include Kiambu, Kajiado and Nakuru.
At least four people have been reported dead in Kiambu after contracting cholera.
Early this week, Governor Kimani Wamatangi said over 280 people had contracted the highly contagious and deadly disease in various parts of the county.
However, he said the county has made stringent interventions including provision of free clean water points, particularly in Ruiru sub-county where there have been reports of people drinking contaminated water.
The county boss announced that his government had established seven water points in all the five elective wards in Ruiru constituency that will see residents fetch free clean water.
“As a matter of urgency, we are ensuring that people have access to clean drinking and cooking water. This is after it emerged that a number of water sources particularly boreholes in Ruiru are contaminated and unsafe,” he said.
Last month, the Ministry of Health in Kajiado county issued a similar alert after two cases of cholera were detected.
Health CEC Alex Kilowua urged members of the public to observe high levels of hygiene and urgently seek medical help in case of reported stomach discomfort and diarrhoea.
Kilowua said the two patients who had travelled from Nairobi had been isolated.
"Cholera is here with us. A mother and her daughter are admitted over the same and are currently isolated. I would, therefore, want to urge all residents to be on high alert. Take caution in what you consume. Let's maintain high levels of hygiene including washing fruits and vegetables," Kilowua said.
The county minister further cautioned food vendors along the street to detest mishandling food endangering lives.
"Street vendors have a responsibility of ensuring they serve quality food which has been handled with required hygiene standards. It is a collective responsibility to contain the further spread of cholera," he added
