2 die of cholera as eateries are closed in Elgeyo Marakwet

Two people are reported to have died Friday following a cholera outbreak in parts of the Kerio Valley in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
According to the county executive committee member in charge of health Kiprono Chepkok, the two, a 60 year old granny and a 4 year old child died at their homes in Marakwet East subcounty.
Addressing the press in Iten, Chepkok said the two failed to seek treatment in the nearby facilities and instead chose to use traditional herbs perhaps not realising the seriousness of the disease.
The CEC said the symptoms of cholera which is vomiting and diarrhea had been reported at Mogil, Chugor, Chesoi and Chesongoch in Marakwet East and Arror in Marakwet West subcounty.
He called on any resident who experiences the symptoms to visit the nearest public health facility saying they have enough drugs in the facilities.
Following the outbreak, the county has indefinitely closed all hotels and restaurants in the affected areas in addition to banning hawking of food including milk and fruits.
Chepkok has however assured the residents that the situation has been brought under control saying what they are now doing is curbing any spread.
He said the county has deployed community health workers who are moving from house to house to test and treat any cholera case in the affected villages.
By Alice Wanjiru