Four people have been reported dead while 15 others are struggling for their lives in hospital after an outbreak of Cholera in parts of Trans Mara West Sub-County.
Following the disease outbreak, the Department of Health and Sanitation in Narok County has banned food hawking in all trading centres and towns in the county.
While confirming the outbreak, Narok County Director of Health Dr Francis Kiio said the four dead are three adults and a child from Kilgoris Central, Lolgorian and Shakoe wards.
He said the first suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea were reported on September 29 this year at TransMara West Sub-County Hospital, where eight of the cases were registered on the said date.
Laboratory testing conducted at the Trans Mara West Sub-County Hospital and Walter Reed Kericho laboratory confirmed the patients were suffering from Cholera.
At the same time, 20 patients were treated and discharged from the hospital, with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) now moving from village to village to sensitise the residents of the outbreak.
Dr Kiio confirmed that they have been working with health partners to contain the disease, adding that they have been able to distribute personal protective equipment and water treatment commodities to the affected locations.
The medic called on residents to ensure regular washing of hands with clean water, drink treated water and handle their food properly to contain the deadly and highly contagious disease.
Narok County Executive Committee (CEC) member in Charge of Health and Sanitation, Antony Namunguk, said the disease had been reported in other parts of the country, hence called for surveillance and active case search in health facilities and communities.
He stated that a temporary Cholera treatment unit was established at the Trans Mara West County hospital to treat Cholera patients.
The CEC called for proper use of toilets, saying the disease is highly transmitted when people defecate in open places.
The Head of Kenya Red Cross Society, South Rift region, Felix Mayio, confirmed that the organisation was working with the Department of Health to control the disease by helping to supply equipment needed to prevent and treat the disease.
He reiterated that they were working with CHPs to sensitise the residents about the disease to prevent its further spread.
They were speaking at the Narok County Referral Hospital premises today, where equipment to fight the spread of the disease was flagged off, including motorbikes and protective gear.
