- Villages in Gwassi North ward such as Nyagwethe, Kaloki, Nyamosi and Mang’ang’a have also recorded the cases.
- Lucy Awino who operates a food kiosk at Sindo town market said they are counting losses since the new order was issued.
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
Business operations have slowed down in Sindo market and Wadianga beach in the Suba South constituency after reports of a high number of cholera cases.
Health records indicate that the two trading centres lead in cases of cholera since the county announced an outbreak of the disease.
By Wednesday, the county had recorded 73 cases with Sindo town market having more than 35 people while Wadiang’a recorded 20.
Villages in Gwassi North ward such as Nyagwethe, Kaloki, Nyamosi and Mang’ang’a have also recorded the cases.
The spread prompted the county health department to ban the operation of eateries and hawking of food in the most affected areas to contain further spread.
Health chief officer Kevin Osuri said they had issued notices to residents and law enforcement agencies on the new order.
Lucy Awino who operates a food kiosk at Sindo town market said they are counting losses since the new order was issued.
She said they have lost clients due to fear of further spread of the disease.
“The market is deserted and just a few people come to our stalls. The cholera outbreak has seriously affected our business operations,” Awino said.
The trader asked the county government to intervene and address the outbreak.
“Health department ordered for the closure of eateries and we don’t know when this will come to an end. It’s important to have a solution for us to re-embark on business activities,” she said.
Wadianga beach management units chairman Samuel Onyango said cholera infections have interfered fishing activities.
Several fishing boats remained docked at the beach as many fishermen kept off fishing in fear of getting infected
Health officers attribute the increase in infections to the use of poor sanitation along Lake Victoria.
“We’re ready to comply with the health regulations imposed on us but we appeal for urgent containment of the disease. Many people really want to return to their normal duties,” Onyango said.
Osuri said they are putting other measures in place to tackle the spread of the disease in the affected villages.
Their activities involve sensitisation of residents to put precautionary measures in place to avoid contracting the disease.
“The anti-cholera preventive measures include sensitising residents on how to use purified water, cooking food properly and avoiding open defecation,” Osuri said.
He said they are working together with agencies like national government administration officers, beach management unit leaders and non-governmental organisations to fight the disease.
Medics from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) are also setting up special beds for cholera patients at Suba Subcounty Hospital in Sindo town where the patients are admitted.
“Let residents be wary of the disease to avoid contracting it,” he added.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)