NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 14 – The Ministry of Health has urged caution amid an increase in cases of Cholera in an outbreak that could trigger a crisis during the festive season.
MoH on Wednesday urged the public to continue adhering to public health and social measures while taking personal responsibility to deter further spread.
The ministry recommended frequent hand washing and ensuring proper sanitation and hygiene at all times.
Health care workers have also been urged to take note of early detection and subsequent management of suspected cases moving forward.
“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 whole governance and multi-agency approach in accordance with disease outbreak management practices,” read part of the statement from MoH.
Among other measures that the government has put in place to mitigate the spread of the disease include setting up of a management team led by the Ministry’s Department of Disease Surveillance and Epidemic Response.
The team will be deployed to implement response activities such as field investigations, enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, risk communication, and environmental sanitation to prevent further spread.
The ministry projected that about 11 counties could face a surge with 1,947 cases and 31 deaths having been recorded as at December 13.
“Since 19th October 2022, when the first case of the disease was confirmed, 11 counties namely Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang’a, Kajiado, Nakuru, Machakos, Garissa, Meru, Nyeri, Wajir, and Uasin Gishu reported a total of 1,947 cases, with 31 deaths, case fertility rate (CFR) of 1.6 percent,” wrote MoH.
