The flooding situation in Kenya’s Tana River County has intensified concerns over the spread of cholera, with 44 cases already confirmed.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted collaborative efforts between Kenyan authorities, WHO, and other agencies to address health challenges exacerbated by the widespread floods.
According to Dr. Pius Mutuku, a medical epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, “Forty-four cholera cases have been reported in Tana River County, one of the most flood-affected areas. The Government of Kenya has mounted a multisectoral emergency response, led by the Kenya Disaster Emergency Operations Centre in the country’s capital, Nairobi.”
See Also: Kenya Floods Claim 228 Lives: Search for 72 Missing Intensifies
The impact of the floods has been severe, leading to the closure of 14 health facilities and a shortage of major water treatment plants, resulting in a scarcity of safe drinking water for around 3000 people.
While Tana River County bears the brunt of the flooding, reports from local media indicate that the crisis extends far beyond, affecting over a quarter-million individuals across Kenya, with a tragic tally of 238 reported deaths.
Mary Muthoni, Kenya’s Health Principal Secretary, issued a stark warning about the imminent threat of waterborne diseases if left unaddressed. Alongside health officials, she distributed water purification supplies in Nairobi, emphasizing the compounded risks posed by contaminated water sources and foodborne illnesses due to the floods.
The WHO reiterated its commitment to supporting the government’s emergency response, stressing the urgency of containing disease outbreaks. To bolster these efforts, the WHO has procured cholera, inter-agency, and pneumonia kits for distribution to key counties, with the capacity to treat approximately 10,000 individuals.
Source: Africa News