Fear has gripped residents of Kisumu County over a possible cholera outbreak, after preliminary tests confirmed that some locals have already contracted the deadly disease.
On Wednesday, samples taken from some patients at Gita Sub County Hospital and tested at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) labs tested positive for the disease.
The county leadership has confirmed the same, saying that one patient has since succumbed to the ailment, with there being fears that many more might have died unrecorded.
"On September 23, 28 persons exhibiting cholera-like symptoms were received at Gita hospital and examined. Twenty-four people were treated and discharged, while four were admitted for further management,” County spokesman Aloice Ager told the Nation.
County Director of Health Dickens Onyango said that the county is coming up with measures to ensure that the disease does not spread to unaffected areas or cause more loss of lives.
He said that the county will give water treatment kits to persons living next to rivers, and also warned them against drinking the water over the fear of possible contamination.
"We are working with public health department to sensitise the community and give the water treatment kits to villagers living along rivers," he said.
At the same time, the situation is likely to be worsened by the ongoing strike if medical staff in the county.