Three dead as Wajir struggles to tackle cholera

Wajir Deputy Governor Ahmed Mohamed cautioned the residents against unhygienic practices and cautioned patients against sneaking out of treatment centres before getting discharged.

"We have set up a cholera treatment centre at Siriba and Biyamadhow, stationed a standby ambulance there, piped water from the boreholes to the centre with a water bowser ready to complement it if need be, provided food for the affected, and are setting up two water kiosks in Siriba Town," Ahmed said.

Meanwhile, elders drawn from Siriba have called on the county not to close Biyamadhow camp despite the number of patients admitted decreasing to 13 warning that the move could hamper the fight against the disease.

Habiba Ali with health workers at a cholera treatment centre in Wajir County. [Ismail Noor, Standard]

According to the county government, there is no cause for alarm as they have posted enough personnel who are supported by 11 staff seconded to the centre by the Red Cross.

"We brought pharmaceuticals, put up tents, provided food for 100 households, and provided staff; we will work together with the county government for a period of three months to prevent more loss of life," said Abdinoor Hussein, Chairman Kenya Red Cross-North Eastern.

Aside from cholera, Wajir County is currently battling an outbreak of anthrax and a biting drought that has resulted in the deaths of livestock.

Wajir Deputy Governor says the county has pumped money into relief food, cash transfers, massive water trucking, a revolving fund, and school feeding programs to mitigate the mounting problems.