Twenty-nine patients have so far been confirmed to have contracted cholera in Mandera County and are being treated at the Mandera County Referral Hospital.
All 29 cases reported so far are from Mandera East, in Neboi Village, Boys Town Village, Bulla Nguvu and Township areas, with most affected persons being children under five years, due to their vulnerability to all contagious diseases.
Confirming the cases, Mandera Deputy Governor, Dr Ali Maalim, said surveillance in the County has been heightened to ensure adequate response, in case the outbreak spreads in the Sub counties.
He added the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program in all health facilities in the County have been strengthened, to ensure the cholera outbreak is contained and urged residents to maintain hygiene and liaise with the Public Health Office for supplies of chlorine tabs to treat their drinking water.
Mandera County Chief Executive Member (CECM) for Health, Dr Mohamud Eda, also called on residents, especially those in areas affected by cholera, to observe hygiene practices individually and collectively, to avoid the spread of the disease.
Residents are, however, wary that the outbreak might spread further, due to poor levels of hygiene and sanitation in parts of the County
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
The infection is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera and left untreated, the disease can kill.
The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.
By Adan Mohamed
