Laikipia health services have dismissed claims that there is an outbreak of cholera in the British Army Training Unit (BATUK) camp in Nanyuki.
Laikipia Chief Executive Committee (CEC)-In-Charge of Health, Dr. Albert Taiti, speaking to the press in Nanyuki Town, said that the information circulating in the social media and reported by a section of mainstream media was false.
“This is to inform the general public of false information circulating in social media networks about a cholera outbreak at the British Army Camp in Nanyuki,” said Dr.Taiti.
He said that they had confirmed with the medical and surveillance teams at the camp that there is no case of cholera or any other disease of public health concern at the camp.
“The Laikipia Health Service has confirmed with the Medical and Surveillance Teams at the camp that there is no case of cholera or any other disease of public health concern at the camp,’’ the CEC said.
He urged residents to continue observing healthy habits for prevention and protection from diseases and other infections and at the same time revealed that cholera is not transmitted from monkeys to humans.
“Cholera is not transmitted from monkeys to humans. Please ignore the social media messages, but we urge you all to continue observing healthy habits for prevention and protection from diseases and other infections,” said Dr. Taiti.
Reports going around in social media alleged that the outbreak of cholera in the army unit was a parasite sub-tribe linked to a tamed monkey in China.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cholera is an acute diarrhea illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Infections can only be transmitted when one swallows food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria.
By Muturi Mwangi
