By Habil Onyango
Homa Bay County is on high alert following a cholera outbreak in the neighbouring Migori County after several cases and one casualty were reported.
Five cases of cholera and one casualty were reported in Kuria East Sub-County, Migori, since the outbreak of the disease.
According to Homa Bay Chief Officer for Health, Dr Kevi Osuri, no case of infection has, however, been reported in any part of the county.
“Following the outbreak of cholera in our neighbouring county, Migori, we have put in place adequate measures to ensure that our people remain safe,” said Osuri.
“We have initiated a major clean-up exercise in our towns, especially by clearing the sewerage system as one of the factors to avoid any infection,” said Osuri.
Osuri also revealed that the county government has ensured that locals get an adequate supply of clean water as one of the ways to combat infection.
“We have so far not recorded any case in our county, and I want to tell our people, especially those from the areas bordering Migori County, to remain vigilant and alert to prevent the infection from spreading into our county,” said Osuri.
Dr Osuri warned that cholera can quickly become fatal, and in the most severe cases, the rapid loss of large amounts of fluids and electrolytes can lead to death within hours.
“In less extreme situations, people who do not receive treatment can die of dehydration and shock within hours to days after cholera symptoms first appear,” he added.
The officer, however, advised county residents to report to the nearest health facility if they experience the sudden onset of diarrhoea and vomiting.
He urged the people of Homa Bay to maintain high standards of hygiene by washing their hands with soap before handling any food and after visiting toilets.
“Cholera is a bacterial disease that usually spreads through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration, and if left untreated, cholera can be fatal within hours, even in previously healthy people. Our people must be very cautious to avoid infection,” said the medic.
“I want to encourage our people to continue practising good hygiene to prevent communicable diseases and to report any suspected case of cholera to the nearest health facility as soon as possible for immediate examination,” said Dr Osuri.
Dr Osuri also advised locals to ensure that drinking water is safe by boiling or chlorinating it.
He emphasised that families, as well as those operating food kiosks and hotels, must ensure that the food they prepare and serve customers is cooked thoroughly and served while still hot to avoid infection.
“We must also ensure that food is well covered to keep away cockroaches, flies, and dust and that human waste is disposed of in latrines,” said Dr Osuri.
“We must also maintain the habit of eating in a clean environment and using clean containers. Additionally, people should avoid illicit drinks that might be brewed with contaminated water,” added the Chief Officer.
All three sub-counties in Migori (Kuria East, Kuria West, and Suna West), which have reported suspected cases of cholera, border the eastern part of Tanzania, which has been reporting cholera cases in 23 regions since 1st January 2024.
