Medics in Narok probe 'cholera' case

Health personnel are on high alert after a suspected case of cholera was reported at the Narok Referral Hospital yesterday.

County Public Health Officer Daniel Sironka said medics are investigating the case where a male patient was admitted at the hospital with symptoms similar to those of cholera, which included watery diarrhoea, vomiting and high fever.

Mr Sironka said the 49-year-old patient, a hawker in the town, is currently in an isolation ward and his samples have been taken to the National Public Health Laboratory in Nairobi for analysis.

If confirmed, this is going to be the first case of cholera in the county.

Take care

The public health officer said all precautionary measures are being taken to stem an outbreak of the disease and these include disinfecting various places in the hospital and the town as well as appealing to residents to observe high hygiene standards.

"Wash your hands after visiting a washroom, before preparing and eating food and also ensure all drinking water is boiled and food thoroughly washed before cooking," he said.

Sironka also said public health personnel have stepped up surveillance and will carry out campaigns to educate the public about cholera.