Standard Team
31 March 2008
Nairobi — Thirty-nine people in Nyanza Province have succumbed to cholera since January.
More than 450 cases have been reported in hospitals in the same period.
The Nyanza Provincial Medical Officer, Dr Jackson Kioko, said the epidemic began in Suba and Siaya districts.
"The outbreak then spread to Homa Bay District and Kisumu," Kioko said.
He said health workers had contained the outbreak in Siaya and Rongo, adding that Migori District was particularly hard hit with more than ten deaths reported.
"We had 30 cases last week, while a similar number of patients are seeking treatment in various health centres in the district," he said.
He added: "Fishermen from Tanzania and Uganda visit the region making it easy for communicable diseases to spread."
Kioko said the influx of displaced people and feasting at funerals contributed to the spread of cholera.
"We are asking residents to stop holding extended funerals to reduce the amount of food prepared," he said.
The Provincial Public Health Officer, Mr Tom Andebe, said that improper disposal of human waste was another contributing factor.
"Only about 30 per cent of residents have built pit latrines. People defecate in bushes," he said. The official added that rain often washed human stool into water sources.
"In areas where cholera is prevalent, residents use water from dams and rivers without boiling it," said Andebe.
His sentiments were echoed by Ms Margaret Abira, the regional manager, Lake Victoria South Water Catchment.
Abira described the re-use of bathing water to wash utensils as unhygienic, saying it was a sure way of contracting cholera.
She said they also were encouraging residents to build bathrooms separate from animal troughs.
Nyanza Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Juliana Otieno, said the hospital had attended to 45 patients this month.
A victim, Mr Hesbon Otieno, told The Standard that he contracted the disease after eating roasted groundnuts.
"I developed a severe stomachache and was rushed to the hospital where I was diagnosed with cholera," said Otieno, 48.
A recent study - Citizens' Report Card -- paints a grim picture of urban sanitation and solid waste services in Kenya.
In Kisumu, 93 per cent of low-income earners interviewed had no access to piped water.
Concerns have also been raised over unhygienic food kiosks in Kisumu. In Manyatta, Nyalenda and Obunga, kiosks are situated near open sewers.
Kioko said the Ministry of Health was supplying chlorine tablets to households in the affected areas.
"In addition, the ministry and its partners are involved in the provision of slabs for the construction of pit latrines," Kioko said.
Last year, the Ministry of Health introduced chlorine tablets into River Yala and put up more thatn 500 slabs to contain an outbreak in Siaya District.
Meanwhile, a cholera outbreak has been reported in Budalang'i, Western Province.
Western Provincial Medical Officer, Dr Onudu Olang'o, yesterday said seven people were undergoing treatment at Port Victoria Sub-District Hospital.
"We have not had any deaths since the outbreak of the disease. We have taken measures to avert further spread," he said.
Olang'o said medical experts were on high alert and there were enough drugs to contain the situation.
He added that the onset of long rains contributed to cholera and urged residents to maintain high hygienic standards.
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