Cholera sickens more than 20 in Matungulu

At least 23 people have been treated for cholera in Matungulu sub-county over the last one week.

County Director of Health Jack Nthanga said among the 23, 18 had been treated and discharged while three men and three children were admitted in Donyo Sabuk Nursing Home.

He said specimens from the victims had been sent to the Government laboratory in Nairobi for analysis.

Dr Nthanga told The Standard that the affected patients were vomiting and had diarrhoea. He said one woman living in Donyo Sabuk market had eaten food from Ndula market of Thika sub-county and had been confirmed to have cholera. She was admitted in hospital.

He said the worst hit areas were Kitambasye, Donyo Sabuk and Kituluni villages of Matungulu North Ward.

Nthanga said a team of medical personnel had camped in the affected areas with drugs to fight the disease.

He said the cholera cases were increasing according to a survey but added there was no cause for alarm since appropriate measures had already been taken.

"Fortunately, nobody has died from the disease," he added.

As a result, Nthanga said food hawking in the affected areas and their surroundings had been banned until the situation returns to normal.

Medical attention

He called on residents to seek medical attention at the nearest health facilities or the mobile camps immediately cholera symptoms were detected.

He asked locals to join the campaign by sensitising fellow residents on the dangers of the disease.

"I ask residents to observe good hygiene while handling food," he added.

Public health officials have intensified regular checks and cracked down on hotels, butcheries and other eateries that do not meet set hygienic standards.

At the Donyo Sabuk Nursing Home where the six are admitted, the officer medical officer in charge, Joseph Muling'a, said their condition was improving and they would be discharged soon.