The Ministry of Health has said that the outbreak of cholera in the country has claimed 25 lives and has spread to 10 counties.
Speaking during a meeting with county health executives during the launch of a status report on infection prevention control in Machakos county, acting Director General of Health Patrick Amoth said that the country has recorded a total of 1,094 cholera infections.
“The index case of cholera came from Kiambu county following a wedding. Out of that we have had occasional cases. So far as of 26th November, we had 10 counties involved. Nairobi, Garissa and Machakos counties have the highest burden of the disease. All the 17 sub counties in Nairobi county have been affected,” he said.
“Studies have shown that close to 80-90 per cent of health care workers do not actually practice infection prevention control measures. So one of our challenges as healthcare workers is to be able to practice what we preach so that we influence community members appropriately,” he added.
The Ministry of Health has also advised communities to cook food thoroughly and keep it covered, to peel fruits before eating them and to avoid eating raw vegetables.
He also said that the government had escalated efforts to contain the spread of cholera.
“As the national government, we have developed infection prevention control interventions together with the counties. We have done risk communication and supported the counties in terms of diagnostics. We are working with the counties to ensure availability of safe portable water,” he said.
