Cholera scare as two people die, scores hospitalised

Two people have died and more than 50 others are admitted to hospital following a suspected cholera outbreak attributed to the heavy rains and floods that have led to deteriorating sanitation standards.

In Mandera County, a cholera scare has hit Buqe location after a child died. A total of 52 people are also being treated for diarrhoea.

Warqadud MCA Alinoor Derrow said there was a risk of reporting more deaths since the area lacked a hospital. “We are worried as acute diarrhoea has been reported and already one life has been lost,” said Mr Derrow.

According to Mr Derrow, 20 adults and 32 children from one village have shown symptoms of the cholera and health workers are overstretched. “The medical staff who arrived yesterday are lacking medicine and other equipment to help the sick and I am appealing for more aid to control the situation,” he said.

Mandera County Health Director Adawa Mohamed said his office was aware of the situation and added that more medical supplies had been sent to the affected area. He denied a cholera outbreak, but said the local clinical officer had confirmed it to be dysentery.

The medical officer blamed low latrine coverage and increased housefly population in the region for the situation.

In Tana River County, a man has died while four other people are recovering at the Madogo dispensary following a suspected cholera outbreak in two camps.

“We have received the reports of the suspected cases as the patients have shown symptoms of cholera, but until we test, we cannot confirm,” said the county’s Health and Sanitation executive committee member Mwanajuma Habwoka.