Nyeri residents put on cholera alert after Kirinyaga outbreak
An open air food kiosk. The Nyeri County Health department has banned food hawking following cases of cholera outbreak in neighbouring Kirinyaga County. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Health personnel in all facilities have also been put on high alert and asked to heighten public health surveillance.
- The County Health Director said proximity to Kirinyaga County, which has a confirmed cholera outbreak, puts Nyeri at risk of the same.
Nyeri County government has issued a cholera outbreak alert following reported cases of the epidemic in neighbouring Kirinyaga County.
County Director of Health Services Nelson Muriu said close proximity and frequent interaction between residents of the two counties means an increased risk of cross-border transmission, given that Kirinyaga has already reported three cases of cholera.
Dr Muriu said there is a high probability of an outbreak of the deadly bacterial disease in the area if necessary precautionary measures are not taken.
To that effect, he announced a ban on food hawking and cautioned residents to avoid roadside eateries and maintain high levels of hygiene.
He further directed that all food outlets be re-inspected to ensure conformity with the Public Health Act.
CHOLERA ALERT
Health personnel in all hospitals have also been put on high alert and asked to heighten public health surveillance to help identify and give prompt response to any suspected cases of cholera.
“Any suspected cholera case must be reported to the office of the County Director of Health Services for further investigations and immediate response,” Dr Muriu said in a press statement.
Nyeri residents have been urged to observe cholera preventive measures, including proper hand washing and food handling, proper disposal of human waste, and keep their environment clean as cholera bacteria thrive in unsanitary conditions.
