The Migori cholera outbreak not fully contained

Migori,

Friday, October 6, 2023

KNA by George Agimba

The Cholera outbreak that hit parts of Migori County in recent weeks is yet to be brought fully under control.

Although the number of patients admitted to local hospitals has declined, fears are that the disease that has claimed the lives of up to 10 people is still lurking within the region due to the bad sanitation in most human habitats in both urban and rural areas.

Medics say the disease has been contained but remains static adding that there is no upsurge in cases during the past few weeks.

In the hard-hit areas of Nyatike, Suna East, and Uriri, which at the peak of the latest outbreak reported substantial numbers of deaths and admissions, cholera cases have dropped by about 99 percent, a senior Migori medic, who sought anonymity, said.

To prevent another outbreak forecast during the anticipated El-Nino rains in the coming days, the Department of Public Health has put in place pragmatic measures, including mobilization of officers and medical kits to the grassroots to dispense the efforts of ensuring no resident is exposed to the disease.

Making an elaborate report on how government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have prepared for the expected onslaught by the looming heavy rains, the environment and disaster management office quantified during the meeting of the committee of the disaster and risk management all the materials and human resource that would be required to help deal with the effects of the storm at close to Sh200 million.

The meeting held at IFAD hall this week and chaired by County Commissioner David Gitonga and Deputy Governor Dr. Joseph Mahiri as Co-chair heard that the focus of the committee would be much on the flood-prone areas of Nyatike, parts of Kuria and Uriri regions where in the past have occurred deaths and serious destruction of property and human displacements during heavy rains.

All health facilities within urban and rural areas would be equipped with vital drugs, mosquito nets, and staff put on high alert to respond to all emergencies, the two leaders explained at the end of the meeting as they urged the committee to strive to review the budget upwards to assist in dealing comprehensively with the prevention and the aftermath of the El-Nino.

Mr. Gitonga urged the committee to ensure that all the MDAs made up-to-date surveillance on arrears that could be exposed to serious damage by the storm and offer mitigation roadmaps urgently in order to save lives and property.

Non-governmental organizations have also been brought on board in the campaigns, The Red Cross has supplied stocks of medical kits to help save lives.

Courtesy; KNA