Food hawking banned in Migori County over cholera outbreak
A map of Migori County. Health workers have focused their attention on an area in the Homa Bay-Migori border, as the fight against cholera intensifies. PHOTO | GOOGLE MAPS
What you need to know:
- The county government announced the ban will remain in force until the disease is contained.
- The county government has also set up community based treatment units in Rongo Sub-County.
Hawking of food has been banned in Migori County over a cholera outbreak.
The county government announced the ban would remain in force until the disease is contained.
The ban has affected more than 10,000 traders in eight constituencies.
The County Executive officer in charge of Health, Mr Elijah Odhiambo, ordered daily inspection of all hotels and restaurants by public health staff to ensure they conformed to set hygiene standards.
“All schools and colleges must also raise the bar on hygiene in order to protect (the) lives of learners and staff from this waterborne disease,” Mr Odhiambo reporters in Migori Town on Wednesday.
TREATMENT UNITS
The county government has also set up community-based treatment units in Rongo Sub-County.
“This disease seems to be spreading fast to Uriri, Nyatike and Awendo. Some cases have also been reported in Homa Bay County.
“We have formed a cholera outbreak control team that will be on a 24-hour alert to respond to emergencies," said Mr Odhiambo.
Traders protested the ban and urged the county government to reverse it.
“How will we survive or pay fees for our children? This ban will lead to an upsurge in crime if it is not lifted," said Mr John Okello, a trader in Migori Town.
At least six people have died and 80 others are in critical condition after cholera broke out in Migori two days ago.
County Department of Health chief officer Donald Jaleny said three victims died at Rongo Sub-District Hospital while three others died at home while waiting to be taken to hospital.
The 80 have been admitted to various health facilities in Rongo and Awendo sub-counties.
He said the worst-affected areas are the Lwala and Kamagambo areas in Rongo.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado asked the residents to maintain high standards of hygiene and to drink only treated water.
