Climate change linked to recent cholera, Hepatitis A outbreaks

Some of the victims of cholera outbreak at Ligega health center in Ugunja Siaya county. Four people have died while 23 others hospitalized in the county following the outbreak of the disease. PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

Given recent warm temperatures, cholera outbreaks could become more frequent, scientists have warned. And as Kenya faces a cholera outbreak in about a dozen counties countrywide, moderate increase in sea temperatures and levels associated with global warming naturally suggest possibility of increased public health concerns like cholera and Hepatitis A.

Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) Chief Research Officer Andrew Githeko is leading a team of scientists to research on the effect of climate on bacteria that causes cholera that thrives in temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees centigrade. “When the weather gets warmer, it creates a conducive environment for bacteria and viruses to multiply in food and water, causing disease,” said Dr Githeko, Kemri Head of Climate and Human Health Research Unit at Centre for Global Health Research.