Nakuru County health department has raised the alarm over cases of cholera and other waterborne diseases as the country braces towards abnormal rainfall limits.
Speaking at Rongai health centre on Tuesday after visiting patients who had tested positive for cholera, county director of public health Dr Samuel King’ori predicted more cases saying contaminated water will pose a negative impact in curbing such diseases.
He called for caution when dealing with roadside water vendors arguing that ignoring the source of drinking water exposes residents to these diseases.
“As a department, we have tried to use capacity building sessions to ensure such cases do not become rampant even with the El Nino rains expected in the country, but it takes personal initiative to ensure your family is not exposed to water that might compromise their health,” King’ori noted.
He revealed that a cholera alert had been raised in Rongai Sub-County further saying patients at the facility who tested positive were under close supervision.
“All measures are in place to help contain the disease and avert any chances of spreading further so there should be no reason to panic,” he said.
The health expert expressed confidence that the county was committed in fighting cholera saying there was an on-going educational campaign on the importance of using safe and treated water for all domestic use.
“We have sent preventive and precautionary teams in all the affected areas including villages to help educate the public on the importance of treating drinking water,” he added.
This is the second case being reported in the area after the 2014 April outbreak that saw more than five people die before the disease was contained.