Cholera Kills Three As 132 Others Treated

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Three people have died and 132 treated and discharged following a cholera outbreak in Mtito Andei [Nairobi].

One patient died at Makindu District Hospital and another at Mtito Andei health centre while undergoing treatment.

The third casualty, a child, died at home before she could be taken to hospital.

The concentration at Mtito Andei, on the busy Mombasa highway, raised fears of the disease spreading to other parts of the country. It is a major transit point in the region.

Teams have been formed at the Ministry of Health to fight the outbreak and conduct education on public health.

Mtito Andei district clinical officer Zakayo Ndeto said the hospital had treated 118 patients since November 21.

Kilovia Mutunga, 29, said he had started feeling stomach pains and suffering from diarrhoea after eating githeri (boiled maize)and sukuma wiki (kales) at his Mang’elete home.

But hospital workers said he would be discharged today after responding well to treatment.

Mr Ndeto said the neighbouring Taita-Taveta had been placed on high alert following the outbreak.

“We are carrying out health education through public meetings to create awareness on the disease. At the same time, we are tracing the relatives of those who might have been infected by the contagious disease.”

At Makindu Hospital, Dr Richard Onkware said 13 patients who had been admitted, on Sunday, were referred by a private clinic in Mtito Andei Town.

One patient died while 12 others were treated and discharged.

“The patients are suspected to have been infected by drinking contaminated water from a stagnant pond in Mtito Andei Town,” he said.

Initial reports indicate that most of those admitted had taken contaminated water either at Mtito Andei township restaurants or at a recent funeral.

Dr Onkware said the situation had been contained and that Makindu Hospital had not reported any new cases since the 11 patients were discharged, last week.

Most of the patients complained of acute diarrhoea and vomiting. Only one is still at Mtito Andei health centre and is likely to be discharged today.

Mr Ndeto said the situation was now under control and expressed doubt about the disease spreading to other areas.

The Makindu medical boss, a Dr Omolo, was yesterday summoned to Afya House to brief the director of Medical Services, Dr James Nyikal, on the situation.

The Makueni medical chief, Dr Charles Nzioki, said the outbreak was caused by contaminated water from Mtito Andei and Mang’elete rivers and boreholes within the Mang’elete and Kibwezi areas caused by the recent short rains.

The Government issued a cholera alert in Voi Town and banned food hawking.

Coast Provincial Medical Officer of Health, Dr Anderson Kahindi, who issued the alert, said at least four people had been admitted to and others treated and discharged.

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