Medics and Public Health officers have camped at Nkasuriaa village in Narok South Sub-County following the outbreak of deadly Cholera disease in the area.
The officers led by Narok County Public Health Officer Daniel Silonka and Red Cross’ Head of Operations Ms. Warda Monderry were on the ground to ensure the area with a population of about 3000 people were free from the virus by giving clean water and treating the disease symptoms.
“A team comprising of lab technicians, nutritionists, nurses, clinical officers, public health officers and the Red Cross team is camping in the area to ensure all those showing signs of Cholera are treated immediately. An ambulance is also on standby to transport any serious case to Narok Referral Hospital,” said Silonka.
The action comes after confirmation that four samples taken from suspected Cholera cases had tested positive by 99 per cent.
Ms. Monderry said they had to camp in the area as they will have to handle not only Nkasuriaa village, but all the neighbouring villages where the bacteria could have spread.
“Thirty three percent of people who have exhibited Cholera symptoms so far are children between ages of one and five years. This is probably because children drink a lot of water,” said Ms. Monderry.
Two male adults have so far died from the disease that was first reported early this week. The two died at Narok Referral Hospital while receiving treatment.
Currently, 33 people from four villages that neighbour Nkasuriaa village are admitted at Narok Referral hospital.
Narok Executive Member in Charge of Health, Ms. Vivian Mpeti said they have taken caution after the government chemist confirmed the disease.
“On January 6, we received the patients from Nkasuriaa village and upon arrival, one man succumbed immediately while receiving treatment and another died after some few hours,” lamented Ms. Mpeti.
Executive member confirmed that those exhibiting signs of the disease have since been isolated as the disease was highly contagious and a fast killer.
She urged the county residents to observe high standards of hygiene by ensuring that they wash their hands after visiting latrines and boiling drinking water to combat the disease.
At the same time, the public health office has banned food hawking in the county and increased supervision in all eateries in the area to ensure they maintained high hygiene standards.
By Ann Salaton
