The number of cholera cases reported in Homa Bay County has increased to 36 since the outbreak last week.
Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Health Roselyn Omollo said the disease outbreak was concentrated in Suba South constituency.
She said majority of the cases came from Sindo town market and Wadiang’a beach in Kaksingri West ward while others were from Gwassi North ward within
the constituency.
Ms. Omollo said Sindo town market was recording the highest number of patients with 18 cases followed by Wadiang’a which has 12 patients.
She added that villages in Gwassi North wards which have recorded the cases are Nyagwethe which has three while Kaloki, Nyamosi and Mang’ang’a have reported one case each.
‘They were admitted into Suba Sub County hospital in Sindo for treatment. Thirty two patients are still admitted while four were treated and discharged,’ Omollo said.
She said all the thirty six confirmed cases were local transmissions and that all the patients admitted in hospital were in stable condition.
‘Suspected cases are epidemiologically linked to the confirmed cases. They were found within the same locality or had visited the same places,’ Omollo said.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Omollo said the department has taken necessary measures to isolate and manage any patients who may seek services at any of the health facilities in the county.
She said medics have also collected samples from suspected cases for tests at the County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Omollo said a cholera outbreak alert has been issued from her office to all Sub County facilities outlining necessary steps to be taken when suspected cases are detected.
The health department has also reactivated the Sub County rapid response teams. This includes reaching out to sub county outbreak management teams which have been activated and are on standby to respond to any cases.
Omollo said her department is also making follow ups in households where confirmed cases have been reported to ensure correct containment measures are put in place.
She urged the public especially residents living along the beaches to seek treatment early if they experience any watery diarrhea and vomiting.
‘Community health volunteers have embarked on sensitization at the grassroots and are on high alert for case management,’ she added.
Homa Bay Beach Management Units (BMU) Chairman Edward Oremo asked fishermen to maintain high levels of hygiene in their trade.
Oremo directed all fishermen to ensure they clean beaches every morning especially spaces where fish is sold.
Source: Kenya News Agency