Cholera in Kenya

The Kenya Red Cross reported a cholera outbreak in the country on 10 February 2015. The outbreak is occurring in Migori and Homa Bay counties in southwest Kenya bordering Tanzania and Nairobi county in the south of the country.

As of 10 February 2015, a total of 94 cases including 9 deaths have been recorded: Migori county; 55 cases, 6 deaths, Homa Bay county; 30 cases, 2 deaths and Nairobi county; 8 cases, one death. An isolated case was identified in Kisii county also in the southwest of Kenya, located to the south east of Lake Victoria.

Outbreak control strategies include:

• The formation of task force teams in the affected counties, mobilisation of resources, including intravenous fluids and water treatment chemicals 10 000 units.
• Raising community awareness of the outbreak and on safe water and sanitation.
• Analysis of water samples taken from the community’s source of water and disinfection of any suspected water source by the use chlorine.

(Via ReliefWeb - accessed 24/02/15)

Advice for Travellers

Travellers to outbreak areas who will be mixing closely with the local population and cannot ensure safe drinking water can be immunised against cholera. A high standard of food, water and personal hygiene should also be maintained.