Health Department issues alert over possible cholera outbreak

Homa Bay, Friday April 28, 2023

K.N.A By Davis Langat

Homa Bay County health department has issued an alert over possible cholera outbreaks associated with the continued flooding.

The Country Chief Officer of Health Kevin Osuri said the destruction of latrines and sewer lines caused by rains in the county posed a serious health challenge.

The heavy rains have damaged latrines and the sewer lines at various villages and urban centres.

Dr Osuri said that the reported outbreak of cholera in the neibouring counties of Kisumu and Siaya makes residents more vulnerable to contracting the disease.

Addressing journalists at his office, Dr Osuri told residents to be careful by observing high levels of hygiene to prevent cholera.

“The outbreak of cholera in our two neighbouring counties and effects of the heavy rainfall in our county makes residents susceptible to risk of contracting the disease. Let our people be very vigilant against it,” Osuri said.

 He urged residents to maintain sanitary standards including drinking clean water, eating properly cooked food, cleaning fruits before eating and ensure proper use of latrines and toilets.

Osuri said the county government had put measures in place to fight the disease in case of an outbreak.

 He said that the government had established an emergency operation centre managed by public health officers who undertake surveillance on the disease across the county.

The Chief Officer said any reported cases will be promptly handled by the public health officers.

“We have also bought drugs to ensure that anybody who contracts cholera is treated in our health facilities. We are prepared as a county,” Osuri said.

He told residents to report any suspected case of cholera outbreak.

“Our people should be alert in reporting any case of cholera outbreak. Cholera is a disease which requires emergency interventions,” Osuri said, adding that the main symptoms of cholera are diarrhoea and vomiting.

Homa Bay County was hit by cholera two months ago in which one person died but the remaining 18 people survived.

Courtesy K.N.A