Hotels in Mandera reopen despite rising cholera cases

Closed hotel in Mandera County. The eateries were closed last month to contain the spread of cholera. [Ibrahim Adan Ali, Standard]

All the food eateries in Mandera County that were closed three weeks ago following cholera outbreak have been reopened despite rising cases of the disease.

Health county executive committee (CEC) member Mohamud Eda assured that the hotels will be subjected to strict regulations to provide high level of cleanliness.

"We have banned trading of all sweetened waters or juices as well as hawking of food and drinks within towns or schools among other measures. Public health officials are on the look out for those who will violate these measures," said Eda.

The hotels have been ordered to provide water and soap for handwashing, a minimum of three jericans of treated water for drinking and ensure proper disposal of waste.

The eateries were closed last month to contain spread of cholera. But late as yesterday (Sunday) there were 656 cases of cholera with seven people including two children and a student at Takaba Girls Secondary reportedly dying as a result of the outbreak.

A section of the residents were however, wary the outbreak might spread further due to poor levels of hygiene and sanitation in the hotels in especially Mandera East.

"Open defecation is common in Mandera. All the cafe's are situated in places where the public toilets are unavailable and that will attract houseflies around food eateries," pointed out Adan Afar, a volunteer public health champion.

At Mandera Bus Park, for instance, there are no toilets or running water, exposing residents to transmission risks. Cholera is typically spread via infected water supplies and induces acute diarrhoea leading to severe dehydration, frequently resulting in death.