One dead, 73 hospitalised after cholera hit Homa Bay

Suba sub-county hospital where patients of cholera have been admitted. [James Omoro, Standard].

One person has died as cases of cholera hit 73 in Homa Bay County.

This came after postmortem results revealed the seven-year-old girl died of cholera at Suba-Sub-county hospital in Sindo town.

The girl died on Wednesday last week before samples from her body were taken for testing at Homa Bay County referral hospital when it was discovered that she had suffered from cholera.

By the time the girl was being taken to hospital, the disease had already wasted her. It was not immediately discovered that she was suffering from cholera.

On Monday evening, medical results revealed the girl died of cholera. She had lost a lot of water from her body, according to the County Chief Officer for Health Kevin Osuri.

"It is sad we have lost one person to a cholera outbreak. This is after medical results showed the death resulted from cholera," Osuri said.

This came as cholera cases hit 73, from 36, on Monday. The patients are in isolation wards in Suba sub-county hospital.

The majority of the affected come from Sindo town and Wadiang'a main beach in Kaksingri West ward. A few come from Gwassi North ward in Suba sub-county.

Villages in Gwassi North ward which have recorded cases of cholera are Nyagwethe, which has three cases. Other villages are Kaloki, Nyamosi and Mang'ang'a.

Dr Osuri said they are putting measures in place to contain the disease, including enhancing surveillance.

The surveillance team on the ground includes those who are sensitizing residents on preventive measures against the disease. The team also has medics who are treating the patients.

The Chief Officer assured residents that they are working round the clock to control the disease.

"I urge residents to be calm as we are fighting the spread of the disease in our county," Osuri said as he urged residents to maintain hygiene.

The other measures the local government is taking include ensuring people have access to clean and safe drinking water. Officials have also urged residents to eat well-cooked food while avoiding defecating in the open.

"Let residents maintain hygiene at all times to augment the fight against this disease," Osuri said.