Fear as new cholera cases are reported in Migori County

Residents of Oruba village, Migori County fearing a fresh cholera outbreak after four new cases were reported less than a week.

The reports indicate that four pupils were diagnosed and admitted at Migori Referral Hospital between Saturday last week and Wednesday this week.

A resident of Oruba- Ragana in Suna West Sub-County said her daughter came home from school feeling unwell.

“Upon taking her to hospital the doctor said she had cholera related symptoms,” the concerned mother narrated.

The other cases which have been reported so far involve school children, and they have all been admitted in the same ward.

Migori County’s Executive Committee member in charge of Health, Joseph Nyamita, confirmed that cases of cholera are still being reported in the county. He, however, asserted that they are only a few cases.

He challenged the public to observe person hygiene and proper sanitation to avert an outbreak of the water borne disease. He urged residents to use clean water and embrace proper waste disposal to help control the ailment.

Meanwhile, people seeking for medication from the Migori Referral Hospital have claimed that there is laxity at the institution. Some resident have gone as far as accusing the medics of harassment.

In July, twelve people were hospitalised in Migori County following a cholera outbreak in the region.

Other than the reported cases in Masara and Mikei villages,  there had been reports of another outbreak in Masara Secondary School where eight students were last week diagnosed with cholera.

Dr. Gondi said other cases were also reported at Radienya Secondary School and Kowino Primary in Masara Village. It is said that the students contracted the disease after consuming contaminated water from River Misiri.

The County Health Director called on leaders from the area to help address the water shortages in the resgion, especially in schools.

On their part, the Ministry of Health based in Migori County has banned hawking of food to help contain the disease.

According to Dr. Gondi, the ban is aimed at minimising the spread of cholera in the county.