Seven cases of Cholera confirmed in Kirinyaga

Seven Cholera cases have been confirmed in Kirinyaga County in the course of the month.

Kirinyaga CEC member for public health George Karoki Friday said that all seven cases were detected in Gacaru and Kwa Vi in Ndia Constituency.

He said that out of the cases, one person has been treated and discharged, while two others are in stable condition as they undergo treatment at Sagana Subcounty Hospital.

The other four are being observed awaiting the results of their laboratory tests.

Speaking during a sensitization forum at Ndia Technical and Vocational College, the CECM noted that the county has since embarked on an intensified campaign against the spread of the disease which includes sensitization of the residents through public barazas, health education in schools and the use of public address system in urban centres and villages.

He added that the campaign is aimed at informing the public on the importance of protecting themselves against the disease.

He said that the campaign is a multiagency initiative that incorporates the national government administration and the Ministry of Education.

Besides carrying out public health education, the department has also been decontaminating homesteads where cases have been reported.

The county government is also giving aqua tabs to enable vulnerable households in the affected areas to treat their drinking water and at the same time giving protective prophylaxis treatment to people who have had close contact with cholera patients.

Karoki noted that cases of cholera, which is a highly contagious disease, have been on the rise in many counties in the recent past, necessitating sustained public action on its prevention and control.

Some of the cholera symptoms that the community has been advised to look out for include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and lethargy for which they should immediately visit a health facility.

Karoki noted that the disease can be fatal since it leads to dehydration thus the need for one to get treatment from a hospital.

The CEC has also appealed to members of the public to ensure that they observe the required hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap and running water, consuming treated or boiled water, eating well-cooked and hot food and proper faecal waste disposal.

He also called upon all food handlers to ensure that food is prepared and sold under hygienic conditions and appealed to the public to shun food that is hawked in disregard to public health standards.

Karoki also warned owners of business enterprises or residential premises against discharging effluent into rivers since it contributes to the contamination of water.