Two dead, 114 hospitalised in Tharaka Nithi cholera outbreak
What you need to know:
Mr Mberia said that all the health facilities in the county have been supplied with the required drugs and personnel to offer treatment to cholera patients.
Residents have also been sensitised on proper hygienic practices including on taking clean water, food and strict use of toilets to dispose human waste.
A cholera outbreak in Tharaka Nithi County has killed two people and left 114 others hospitalised, health officials say.
In a bid to curb the spread of the disease, public health officials have closed down restaurants and restricted movement of cholera patients.
Speaking on Sunday at Marimati town, Tharaka Nithi South sub-county public health officer Zachary Mberia urged local residents exhibiting symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting to seek treatment in the nearest health facilities.
“The disease spreads very fast when patients are moved from their homes to hospitals in far places because of the poor disposal of faeces,” said Mr Mberia.
Mr Mberia said that all the health facilities in the county have been supplied with the required drugs and personnel to offer treatment to cholera patients.
Tharaka North sub-county public health officer Njagi Murata said the disease has been contained.
“The number of the patients being brought to hospital is reducing comparing to last week,” said Murata.
Residents have also been sensitised on proper hygienic practices including on taking clean water, food and strict use of toilets to dispose human waste.
CHOLERA SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cholera infection is often mild or without symptoms but it can also be severe and life threating.
Common symptoms and signs include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, thirst, rapid heart rate, irritability and muscle cramps.
People with severe cholera can develop acute renal failure, severe electrolyte imbalances and coma. If untreated, severe dehydration can rapidly lead to shock and death in hours.
