Cholera outbreak in Nairobi, several people hospitalized

Since the cholera outbreak was reported in Nairobi two weeks ago, more than 10 cases have been recorded.

According to the Nairobi County Health Chief Officer Washington Makodingo, up to 14 patients have been admitted in various hospitals within the city so far.

Last week, six patients were admitted at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital with four coming from Imara Daima and Embakasi and the other two from Eastleigh and Ruai.

He says that going by the pattern of the cases, the disease is most likely to have come from Mlolongo area.

Kenyatta National Hospital has also received three suspected cholera patients but Makodingo says they are not residents of Nairobi. Two came from Machakos while one was from Murang'a.

He also says that the Nairobi County health department has moved swiftly and has been doing everything possible to curb the spread of the disease.

Some of the measures that have been taken include the distribution of chlorine tablets to areas where cholera has been reported and giving out antibiotics to those prone to cholera in order to lessen the burden of the disease.

Makodingo also says that the county has been liasing with the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company to “super-chlorinate” its water as well as establishing cholera treatment units in all health facilities in Nairobi.