There is need to set up strong emergency measures to address a likely cholera outbreak in the country in the coming rainy season.
The Ministry of Health and Doctors Without Borders have issued early reports on possibilities of a cholera outbreak due to lack of proper sanitation facilities and contaminated water in some parts of the country.
The areas likely to be affected include Wajir, Busia, Nandi, Tana River, Marsabit, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Siaya, Garissa, Migori and Nakuru counties. Several have already reported cases of Cholera thus the urgent need of preventing further spreads before the rainy season starts.
The Ministry of Health that it is high time that people started practicing proper hygiene that include food handling and use of clean or treated water.
The country has been trying to fight out Cholera since mid-last year where a good number of people from several counties were admitted with cholera while some ended up losing their lives
Reports from health experts and medical organizations have stated that there is too much negligence when it comes to monitoring of hygiene especially in regions like Nyanza, Rift Valley and North Eastern.
There has been a decrease in the spread in the past two years but if immediate emergency measures will not be put in place then possibilities of a future increase in cholera cases has been predicted.
Water sources in some areas have been reported to be drying up. Some parts lack sufficient ways of waste disposal thus the outbreak. Refugee camps have also not been spared, like Dagahaley Camp and the Dadaab Camp. Most of the affected counties lack toilets, clean water and adequate information on hygiene, a matter that needs to be addressed.
The World Health Organization reported that an estimated 28,00-142,000 people dies due to cholera outbreaks globally every year.
Article by Vera Shawiza.