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STOP EATING IN GATHERINGS

“We urge people to stop eating in mass gatherings such as funerals and weddings.

"We are also asking neighbouring counties to follow suit because it is a shared problem,” said Dr Masaulo.

In Meru, the county government said it would work with other counties to curb the spread of cholera in the region.

The county executive for Health, Dr William Muraah, said the neighbouring Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties had been singled out in the collaboration to undertake preventive and curative measures to stop the spread of the disease.

“I have already instructed the public health officers to crack down on all unclean restaurants, food kiosks and food hawkers.

"We also have enough medical supplies to deal with any eventuality, even in the neighbouring counties,” he said.

More than 60 eateries have been closed for failing to meet health standards while the county government has started a campaign in schools to spread information about how to stop the disease, including boiling drinking water, washing hands with soap and clean running water and not buying food from hawkers.

FOUR DIE IN THIKA

In Thika, four people have died of cholera while 12 others are being treated. 

The county executive for health, Dr Jonah Mwangi, said the four died in their homes at Kiandutu and Gachagi slums. 

“We have identified one positive case for cholera who is undergoing treatment at Thika Level 5 hospital, while 12 others who have diarrhoea have also been admitted and are being monitored,” he said during a free cancer screening at the Thika Muslim Primary School. 

He said the county had banned hawking of food, including roasted maize.

Other cases have been reported in Kabati area of Murang’a County where at least six people have died.

In Migori, health officials are still on high alert despite a reduction in new cholera cases in the county which was the hardest hit by the disease.

Ten people died in the region from the disease in February and March.

“Our teams are still on red alert because we are still getting reports of outbreaks in Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi,” said Dr Donald Jaleny, the county health department’s chief officer.

The outbreak occurred during a prolonged drought, which caused a water shortage.

Health workers managed to contain the disease due to quick supply of drugs and water treatment tablets beside outlawing eating in funerals and other public gatherings.

“All our ward and sub-county administrators were under firm instructions to ensure no feasting took place in the villages until the time the ban was lifted,” said Mr Elijah Odhiambo, the county executive committee member in charge of health.

The county also banned hawking of ready-to-eat food although many traders defied the ban.

Mobile treatment units were set up, especially on the boundary with Homa Bay while others were set up in churches.

The Kenya Red Cross Society attributed the rapid spread of the disease to contamination of River Riana and poor hygiene, especially among families that do not use toilets.