Cholera outbreak: 25 people hospitalised in Homa Bay

 

Twenty-five people have been hospitalized for cholera in Sindo Township, Homa Bay county, even as the government urges people to maintain personal hygiene to curb spread.

Four were discharged from hospital on Saturday evening.

The county Health department confirmed that in the past three days, 25 people were diagnosed with the disease at the Sindo market trading centre in Suba South constituency.

About 21 patients are still being treated at Sindo Subcounty Hospital after they contracted the disease at Wadiang’a beach within the trading centre.

Health chief officer Kevin Osuri said residents to maintain personal hygiene, especially after using a toilet, to prevent further spread of the disease.

Alerts have been issued to all subcounty health facilities with information on how patients with the disease symptoms should be handled when they seek medication at the facilities.

“The department has confirmed 25 cases of cholera in Sindo town. The patients are responding well to medication but we ask residents to maintain cleanliness and curb the disease,” Osuri said.

Speaking to journalists , Osuri asked residents to be alert and ensure they report people who display symptoms of the disease.

People with diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms are urged to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

He said they have already dispatched a multi-agency team to contain further spread of cholera in the area.

Signs of cholera are watery diarrhoea and vomiting. Some patients may also have high body temperature.

The department is following up up on cases at the household level and ensuring correct containment measures are in place for mitigation.

“Cholera can be a fatal and patients are encouraged to seek medication as fast as possible,” he said.

Isolation tents would be set up for handling patients with the disease should people continue get infected.