The Ministry of Health on Tuesday issued an alert on four diseases namely: cholera, measles, chikungunya and rift valley fever.
In a statement to newsrooms, the Director of Medical Services Dr Kioko Jackson warned that outbreaks continued to erupt in new counties as well as recurring in previously affected counties due to various reasons including continued existence of risk factors and inadequate resources to facilitate implementation of effective interventions.
"A total of 4954 cases of cholera with 75 deaths have been reported since the beginning of the year, 279 of these cases are laboratory confirmed. 19 counties have so far been affected namely: Mombasa, Garissa, Siaya, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Kirinyaga, Busia, Tana River, Turkana, Murang'a, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Kilifi," the Ministry stated.
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The Ministry listed some of the measures taken to contain the disease in response to the outbreak including coordinating preparedness and response through a national disease outbreak taskforce:
Conducting risk communication through the issuance of alerts and enhancing surveillance through active case search in Health facilities and within communities.
"The measles outbreak was reported in Wajir and Mandera counties in February 2018 with a total of 39 and 103 cases recorded respectively. The outbreak has since been successfully contained through active case searches, case management and enhanced outreach vaccination services.
"Chikungunya outbreak was reported in 3 counties namely; Mombasa (1302 cases, 32 laboratory confirmed), Lamu (199 cases, 4 laboratory confirmed) and Kilifi (7 cases, 2 laboratory confirmed) and Kilifi (7 cases, 2 laboratory confirmed). The outbreak has since been confirmed.
"Rift Valley Fever outbreak was confirmed among humans on 7th June 2018 in Wajir county. Eldas and Wajir sub-county have so far reported cases. A total of 15 cases with 5 deaths have been recorded.
The Ministry of Health assured to Kenyans that it would continue to monitor and coordinate response efforts in order to contain and control diseases outbreaks in the country.
"The public is advised to be on high alert, observe personal hygiene/ handwash practices and refer any suspected cases of the above disease conditions to the nearest health facility for assessment and management," the statement concluded.
[caption caption="Statement from the Ministry of Health"]
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Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Dr Edwin Gitu, a general practitioner with Aga Khan hospital advised for members of the public to take precautions such as observing hygiene levels.
"Most of the cases are caused by the rains that cause flooding. We have cases were sewage water is mixed with domestic water and in places with pit latrines," he explained.
He further stated that people should seek medical advice when symptoms of the diseases are observed adding that inspecting of meat would help curb infections.
