Migori county is on high alert against cholera after an outbreak in Tanzania.
On January 22, a resident travelled to Tanzania for a funeral and started exhibiting cholera symptoms while in the neighbouring country.
“He was treated at a clinic in Bunda, but six days after he returned to the country, the symptoms recurred,” health executive Awuor Nyerere said.
He said the patient was vomiting and had diarrhoea, which are associated with the disease.
Nyerere spoke to journalists in his office in Migori town on Thursday afternoon.
He said the man was admitted to a local hospital, where samples were collected and treatment commenced.
“The results came back negative for cholera. We believe this is because the patient had started receiving treatment but we are on high alert,” Nyerere said.
He said they have also traced and tested those the patient contacted and will increase alert and surveillance using community health promoters.
Nyerere said the area bordering Kenya on Tanzanian side has reported cholera cases.
“We have a challenge of porous border, but we believe our team of public administrators and community health promoters have been alerted," he said.
