Ministry of Health confirms 61 Cholera cases in six counties

The Ministry of Health now says it has confirmed a Cholera outbreak in six counties, where 61 cases of the disease have since been recorded.

The ministry, in a statement to counties issued by Acting Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, said the cases were spread as follows; Kiambu (31), Nairobi (17), Murang'a (1), Kajiado (2), Nakuru (2) and Uasin Gishu (8).

Dr. Amoth noted that, out of the 61 cases, 13 are presently hospitalized, 8 have been discharged while 40 others were treated as outpatients.

“The National Public Health Microbiology Laboratory has isolated Vibrio cholera-01-Ogawa as the responsible serotype. In response to this, the Division of Disease Surveillance and Response (DDSR), Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program (FELTP) and the County Departments of Health of the affected counties have commenced response activities including field investigations, enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, risk communication, community engagement and environmental sanitation to prevent further spread of the disease and manage the outbreak,” noted Dr. Amoth.

“Noteworthy, the ongoing drought situation in the country may worsen the outbreak; it is therefore the Ministry's decision to put all counties on high alert for possible cholera outbreaks.”

The ministry hence directed all county and sub-county health management teams to strengthen surveillance activities up to the village leave and keep a keen eye on patients presenting watery diarrhea.