MoH Issues Cholera Health Alert

Following a rise in reports of the deadly disease in several regions of the nation, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has sent a Cholera notice to nearby medical facilities.

The Health Ministry reports that an additional 1,947 cases have been documented across 11 counties after the disease's most recent case was found in the nation on October 19, 2022.

Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang'a, Kajiado, Nakuru, Machakos, Garissa, Meru, Nyeri, Wajir, and Uasin Gishu are the counties. Since then, 31 people have died from the illness, according to MoH.

"In this regard, the Ministry of Health has issued a cholera alert to all Health Care workers highlighting the importance of early detection, confirmation and management of suspected cases, while coordinating a government and multi-agency approach in accordance with disease outbreak management practices," Dr. Patrick Amoth.

MoH said that response efforts to control new infections are now being carried out by a management team comprised of the aforementioned impacted county health departments and the Ministry's Department of Disease Surveillance and Epidemic Response.

Enhanced field investigations, greater surveillance, lab testing, community involvement, and environmental cleaning are some of the response efforts.

Cholera infections are likely to rise along with COVID-19 cases because to the increased human movement during this holiday season, the MoH added.

Since then, the Ministry has given the afflicted counties advice to encourage their citizens to often wash and sanitize their hands as well as to improve risk communication and engagement to stop the spread of new infections.

"County governments should prepare and ready isolation and quarantine facilities and have them ready for use in the event of a surge in the number of COVID-19 and Cholera cases," said Amoth.

"To limit the spread of cholera, all Kenyans are advised to ensure they use clean and safe drinking and cooking water. The Ministry encourages citizens to boil drinking water. County governments are encouraged to enforce all public health social measures including proper food handling and waste disposal as well as ensuring adequate inspection of food preparatory spaces."