More proactive approach required to effectively stamp out cholera

**Contaminated water and poor sanitation are the main causes of cholera (Photo: Courtesy)**

The current cholera outbreak and the reaction from the Ministry of Health betray a lack of seriousness in tackling a disease that has over the years claimed many lives across the country. The Health ministry is trying to run ahead of time; it is not taking an approach that guarantees positive results. For instance, as a first measure, withdrawing the licences of food handlers can hardly arrest the situation. A more proactive approach is called for.

In May 2015, county directors of health and Ministry of Health officials met following the outbreak of cholera in 10 counties.

Top on the agenda was the possibility of using an oral vaccine to check the spread of the virulent disease. It would seem nothing came out of that meeting since the oral vaccine was never administered, at least not nationally or in the most prone areas.

Unregulated water sources and poor hand hygiene are the major sources of the disease that claims at least 100,000 lives each year, according to the World Health Organisation. In Nairobi, for instance, many roadside eating places are constructed on sewer lines, a problem that is compounded by the lack of clean water either for drinking or washing hands before and after eating. The problem of broken sewer systems has been with us for long, yet little is done to correct the same.

In early 2016, scientists warned that climate change that led to warm temperatures could lead to a cholera outbreak. Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) Chief Research Officer Andrew Githeko warned that warmer temperatures create a conducive environment for bacteria and viruses to multiply in food and water, causing disease.

In addition to poor hygiene and sanitation, lack of proper disposal of solid and liquid waste from humans and households and poor hand-washing habits expose populations to food and water-borne diseases.

With such knowledge, it is not clear why relevant authorities, particularly the Health ministry through its public health department, county governments and the National Environmental Management Authority have not taken concrete measures to preclude the spread of cholera. Underlying causes of the spread must be addressed.