Kenya: Crisis feared as cholera outbreak kills 60

 

 

    

June 24, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Several parts of the country face a medical crisis after 60 cholera deaths were recorded in the first six months this year.

Although the number is smaller than the 86 cases reported in the same period last year, it is still worrying.

A Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation update on disease outbreaks says 13 deaths and more than 880 cases had been reported in June alone.

Lang'ata in Nairobi and Kilifi and Kaloleni districts in Coast Province have reported new cases in the past one week.

The ministry also reported that one person had died after eating aflatoxin-contaminated maize in Eastern Province earlier in the year.

In total, 3,090 cholera cases were reported in 33 districts countrywide, raising fears of an epidemic due to poor sanitation and heavy rains.

During a similar period last year, the deaths stood at 86 out of 4,073 cases. The disease, spread by bacteria in contaminated water, causes rapid dehydration and death.

"Beginning January 2010, outbreaks of cholera have cumulatively affected 33 districts nationwide, causing a total of 3,090 cases and 60 deaths.

"So far the outbreaks have been controlled in 24 districts," the ministry said in the statement.

Pokot West District has recorded nine deaths and 527 cases since April. ActionAid last week recorded at least 10 deaths in Pokot East following a sudden outbreak of a disease with diarrhoea symptoms.

An estimated 10,000 people in the district's Plesian area are in need of medical care. Ms Dinah Nyorsok of ActionAid said the situation had been complicated by the long journey through rough terrain in search of medical care.

Source: Daily Nation, 24 June 2010