Following the Cholera and Chikungunya outbreak in Mandera County, five more experts were on Tuesday deployed to the area in a move to control the situation.
According to the Star Newspaper, the number is in addition to another ten experts deployed on May 26 when the Chikungunya virus was first reported.
The Health CS, Cleopa Mailu on Tuesday said that at least 18 people had died of Cholera but the number had gone down following government intervention. Mailu added that the experts will offer technical support and also train health officers. The support will thus quicken the treatment of cases and limit the specimen transfer to Nairobi for analysis.
Mailu further added that the number of treatment centres has also increased. To control and curb further spread of Cholera and Chikungunya, both at the county and national levels, the national coordination committee shall be holding weekly meetings to monitor and review the outbreaks for further strengthening of the measures.
Since April 12, 2013, cases of Cholera have been reported in Mandera and 777 people diagnosed with Chikungunya with the most affected regions being Mandera East and North sub-counties.
Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes and has no cure. The first case of the virus was reported on May 25 this year but no deaths have been reported resulting from the virus.
According to Mailu, the ministry has dispersed over 5,000 mosquito nets treated with insecticide and 500 litres of chemicals for indoor spraying.
“We have engaged the community health volunteers to conduct door to door visits to identify and spray mosquito breeding sites,” stated Mailu.
The health CS also said that his ministry will be partnering with the county government of Mandera to conduct public health education and campaigns in a bid to control the situation.