8 dead, 129 hospitalised after cholera outbreak in Garissa, Tana River

8 dead, 129 hospitalised after cholera outbreak in Garissa, Tana River

Eight people have died while 129 others are hospitalised following a cholera outbreak in Garissa County and the  neighbouring Tana River County.

Confirming the incident, Garissa County Chief Health chief officer Mohamed Farah said that the development comes after 129 people were isolated at Garissa County Referral Hospital two weeks ago after being diagnosed with the disease.

Mr. Farah said the department’s officials are working closely with their counterparts in Tana River where the disease is suspected to have originated.

“Over 90 percent of all the cases that we have received so far at the Garissa county referral hospital isolation unit are from the neighboring Tana river. We suspect some of these residents are using contaminated water,” Mr. Farah said.

The health officer said that among the measures the department had undertaken to curb spread of the contagious disease include treatment of water sources used by the residents in the two counties.

He advised the residents to promptly admit any one showing symptoms of diarrhoea, headache and weak joints to isolation centers that have been set up in Sankuri, Fafi, Mbalambala, Madogo as well as the referral hospital in order to treat the disease in its early stages.

Mr. Farah further advised the residents to maintain high standards of hygiene.

A spot check conducted by Citizen Digital revealed that health workers had been deployed at the roads leading to the two counties to disinfect anyone coming into the region.

The impromptu check also revealed that butcheries and eateries without a valid operating license have been shut down.

 

Tags:

Garissa County tana river county cholera outbreak Madogo Fafi Garissa County Referral Hospital Mbalambala Mohamed Farah Sankuri

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories