Seven people have reportedly died following an outbreak of cholera in the border area of Illeret in Marsabit County.
The County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Health, Dr. Jama Wolde also disclosed today that the residents were also reeling under an outbreak of malaria.
The CEC said out of the 134 people who were taken in for treatment at the Illeret Health Centre, 11 patients are currently hospitalized while others were and discharged.
Dr. Jama said that the victims died of severe diarrhea and vomiting, adding that the symptoms exhibited points at dysentery at first but was later confirmed as Cholera after several testing.
The CEC added that scores of other residents and especially children have been affected by the disease in one of the remotest parts of the County.
The outbreak, according to the CEC is believed to have originated from a neighbouring country where the disease had earlier been reported.
“The most affected by this outbreak are children aged five years but health authorities are struggling to contain the situation,” said Dr. Jama.
The Government has dispatched adequate medical personnel, equipment and drugs to the area situated over 500 kilometres north of Marsabit town to fight the outbreak.
Samples have also been taken from patients for further analysis in a bid to establish if there was more to the disease or not.
“We have dispatched enough drugs and kits to combat and control the spread of the disease” said Dr Jama adding that averting loss of lives was a priority.
He explained that an outbreak of a disease with similar symptoms was being witnessed in areas of a neighbouring country near Illeret.
Public Health Officials and local administration were engaged in intense sensitization campaign for residents to observe personal hygiene and maintain high sanitary standards.
By Sebastian Miriti
