Alarm as cholera affects 200 pupils

Cholera is still a threat in Nyanza and neighbouring regions. The disease, which broke out in Migori, Homa Bay and Kisii counties in January, has so far claimed 30 lives and affected 1,500 people.

But even as county governments put on brave faces and report that the disease has been contained, The Standard on Saturday has established that there are new cases reported in Migori.

The revelation is causing fear among residents in the region who depend on cross-border trade as they mingle and eat in restaurants in the area.

There are concerns that school children are prone to the disease given that some learn in crowded conditions.

New cases of cholera have been reported in Migori County where 11 people were diagnosed in Nyatike and six in Rongo within the last three days.

This brings to light the fact that the number of people who have died from the disease could even be bigger than what has been reported.

Though campaigns against cholera are now being intensified in schools, it has emerged that most victims who have been treated in local hospitals and health centres were children under the age of 15.

According to statistics seen by The Standard on Saturday, six school going children died from the epidemic while 200 were infected over the last ten weeks.

Cholera first broke out in Rongo, Migori County last month, where 723 people were diagnosed in the public health facilities and six succumbed.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday the county health director Joel Gondi, said efforts to gain zero cholera infection in the county have been thwarted by lack of clean water supply to households.

“A larger percentage of Migori residents have got no access to clean water and this has been the root cause of faster spread of cholera in the county,” said Dr Gondi.
He said a big section of the population depends on water from River Migori for domestic use yet it is polluted.

The director appealed to the public to treat the water before use to stem cholera.

“River Migori is used by a big section of the population of Migori County. There are, however, areas where people have no latrines and use the river to relieve themselves, wash utensils; while others dump garbage in the river. This introduces colonies of cholera causing bacteria,” noted Gondi.

He added, “Cholera spreads fast through dirty water. It is prudent to ensure water is treated. Chlorine is available at public health facilities for those who are unable to purchase it.”

He revealed that the county government has put in place strict measures to reduce prevalence in the most affected areas of Ndege Oriedo, Rongo and Awendo towns.
A report by the county Health ministry attributed the spread of the disease to prolonged drought that saw many households fail to access clean water for domestic use.

He suspects that many cases of people who were infected with cholera in other areas might not have been reported, affecting efforts to eliminate the disease.

The county Health ministry also initiated free treatment for victims as well as their kin who nurse theml to avoid further spread of the disease.

Dr Donald Jaleny, a chief officer in the Ministry of Health, said the medication to caregivers was paramount in boosting immunity for those at risk of contracting cholera.

“The relatives of the infected deserve medication too, and this has helped a great deal, in the past we saw many families being infected after a case is reported of one cholera patient, the rate rises. We campaign for many who have seen cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea in their kin to report to public health centres for medication,” said Jaleny.

SILENT KILLER

Hawking of cooked food and eating in crowded places like funerals, has been banned in affected towns

County Executive Committee member in charge of water, Migori County, Iscar Oluoch admitted there was lack of enough safe water for Migori residents.
She noted that only ten per cent of the population can access clean and safe water, putting the health of majority at risk.

Activists want proper audit done in all health facilities to establish the correct number of deaths. “Stakeholders in the county are hoodwinking residents that the disease is eliminated when it is killing our people silently,” said Jonathan Odhiambo, a human rights activist in Rongo. Migori County Governor Okoth Obado, has assured residents that boreholes will be sunk in all areas to curb consumption of dirty water, while piped water will be supplied in major urban areas.

“We started this programme last year with the rehabilitation and construction of several boreholes and water pans across the county. We also supplied water harvesting tanks to several public institutions. Migori, Rongo, Awendo and Isebania towns will all benefit from the programme.

Kisumu County has already ordered for Cholera drugs from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency. County Director of Medical Services Ojwang Lusi, said the health officers have stepped up surveillance and public awareness, especially in areas where people use water from open ponds.