Cholera kills two in Lamu

Two people have died from a cholera outbreak that has hit parts of Lamu County.

The two, a five-year-old child and an adult from Kipini border of Lamu and Tana River Counties died on separate dates this week following the outbreak.

Thirteen other people have been referred to the Witu Dispensary after exhibiting cholera symptoms.

The victims are suspected to have drunk contaminated water.

Due to the drought situation that has hit most parts of Lamu and Tana River counties for the past six months, residents have had to share the scarce water sources with livestock and wild animals, leading to high rate of contamination of the water through faeces and urine.

County Public Health Officer Mr Athman Dumila confirmed the deaths on Thursday and said a team from the Lamu County health department had already gone to the ground to assist in containing the situation.

A team of Kenya Red Cross Society, Lamu Branch also went to the affected area to contain the situation.

Meanwhile At least 25 people are being treated at various private hospitals in Tana River County following a cholera outbreak that has so far claimed four lives.

The victims include ten children aged between three and 10, who were rushed to a private clinic at Tarasaa trading center from Guba Haroru village Thursday morning.

New cholera cases were reported in Garsen, Kipini, Tarasaa, Oda, and Kipao.

The county chief officer in charge of health Mr Hassan Komoro told Nation on phone that they have requested for emergency funds to procure drugs and other essential required to prevent the spread of the disease.

“We had an emergency meeting yesterday (Wednesday) with all county health officers members to discuss the current outbreaks. We requested for availability of essential commodities including drugs and chemicals to contain the situation,” added Mr Komoro.

Tana Delta Sub-County Medical Officer of Health Nicholas Mwenda confirmed four people have died of Cholera since Friday.