Cholera outbreak kills five in Mandera, 320 others infected

Five people have died after a cholera outbreak in Mandera County while 320 others have been infected.

Health executive Ahmed Sheikh linked the outbreak to poor hygiene and the ongoing heavy rains.

“We have noticed symptoms of cholera which is a normal infection and as we continue treating the patients they are getting better as we are giving them antibiotics and lots of fluids,” he said.

Thirty patients are currently receiving treatment at Mandera County Referral Hospital’s special ward.

He said diarrhoea is normally experienced in Mandera during rainy seasons as people tend to drink dirty water from rooftops.

A medical officer at the hospital who spoke to the Nation on condition of anonymity said the number of patients was increasing daily.

“We have just received 17 patients today alone and the isolation ward is full forcing us to set beds in the corridors to accommodate the increasing number,” said the medical officer.

DIARRHOEA CASES

He said the killer disease was confirmed on April 29, 2016 after severe cases of diarrhoea were reported in Mandera Town.

“One patient died today morning while three died yesterday but another died of similar symptoms before cholera was confirmed almost a week ago,” he said.

He said the cholera outbreak had been caused by poor hygiene and contamination in illegal food kiosks that use contaminated water.

He said the bad hygiene, coupled with poor waste disposal, were some of the factors contributing to the cholera in Mandera.

In a public notice pinned to the hospital’s notice board, the county government announced the closure of all food kiosks in Mandera Town.

“The sub-county public health office, Mandera East, has banned the preparation and sale of all foods in all makeshift structures and also hawking of food in Mandera Town,” reads the notice.

The notice further warns that anybody found operating a food kiosk without adhering to the new directives would be prosecuted.

“We have gone round assessing the environment under which these food kiosks are operating and given recommendations but if they fail to observe them then in the next two days we shall close them until we [control] the situation,” said Mr Sheikh.

Mr Sheikh said the county government was treating water in all water points as he called on the public to fully take responsibility for their own hygiene.