Kenya’s government has called for increased vigilance as it addresses a cholera outbreak that has resulted in at least five deaths, according to a health ministry official.
Cholera, an acute intestinal infection spread through contaminated food and water, causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and muscle cramps, making it particularly dangerous for young children.
The outbreak follows widespread flooding that affected parts of the country last year, which contributed to the spread of the disease.
“The government urges you to be extremely vigilant of your surroundings as we confront a cholera outbreak that has now claimed more than five lives across the country,” said Mary Muthoni, a health official, in a statement.
The health ministry reported on Tuesday that cholera cases have been identified in three counties—Migori, Kisumu, and Nairobi—with 97 confirmed cases and six fatalities.
Cholera has also affected other eastern African nations, with South Sudan being particularly hard hit. The country recorded nearly 700 deaths last month, according to the United Nations.
In addition, Muthoni revealed that over 1,000 cases of leishmaniasis have been reported in Kenya, with 33 deaths linked to the disease.
Leishmaniasis, caused by a parasite transmitted by sandflies, can cause ulcers and disfiguring scars, with some forms attacking internal organs. It is often linked to poverty and poor urban sanitation.
