Two Murang’a residents have been confirmed to be suffering from cholera, weeks after an outbreak was reported in the neighboring Kiambu county.
The two, a 60-year-old woman and her daughter from Githuya village in Kandara subcounty are said to have developed cholera-like symptoms on Wednesday and were rushed to Thika Level 5 hospital.
The woman was admitted while her daughter was treated and discharged.
They are said to have traveled to Nairobi to visit relatives and exhibited the symptoms soon after their return.
Three weeks ago, three more residents who had attended a wedding in Kiambu were reported to have contracted the disease.
They were, however, treated in various health facilities and discharged.
Though the cases have all been confirmed to have originated from other counties, they have pushed the department of public health into action as it has started training its officers on Community Led Total Sanitation.
The aim of the training, according to the public health officer Gitonga Muthui, is to ensure that residents are trained on the disease.
“We aim to give powers to members of the community to ensure their neighbours have proper sanitation to prevent the disease," Muthui said.
The training is funded by the World Bank and will see the trained public health officers move out to the grassroots to carry out sensitisation forums.
Cholera, Muthui noted, is a hygiene disorder and can be stopped through observation of proper hygiene measures.
“Sadly, there has been a neglect of preventive and promotive healthcare and we are asking the government to give it prominence," he said.
He said contrary to reports, the department does not plan to close down eateries over the cases but is on high alert.
“We have all the equipment to test water samples and educate our people on how to keep safe,” he said.
He appealed to those living in urban centres where foodstuffs are being hawked to exercise caution and ensure they wash their hands with soap and water.
Muthui also underscored the need for all homes to ensure they have clean toilets and urged both levels of government to prioritise preventive medicine which has the capacity to ensure Kenyans remain productive.
Christopher Mwangi, a disease surveillance officer, said the training comes at an opportune time as it will help ensure no further cases are reported.
Maragua subcounty public health officer John Waithaka said it is concerning that majority of traders who handle foodstuffs don't observe public health measures.
“When we do inspections, we find that most don’t abide by the measures especially those small food kiosks set up in towns. There is an aspect of supporting businesses but if you eat contaminated food, it will affect your health," he said.
He urged eateries to ensure they have a sufficient supply of clean water to cook their food.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
