184 cases of Cholera have been reported in Machakos town. Machakos DCC and the Ministry of Health officials held a multi-agency meeting at the Machakos Level 5 hospital to deliberate on the outbreak.
The reported cases are mostly from Machakos GK Prison and Machakos School for the deaf. The multi-agency committee was informed by the Ministry of Health that 17 positive cases of Cholera were confirmed in Machakos GK Prison and 165 cases at Machakos School for the Deaf.
According to the health officials, 155 of the suspected cases were in stable condition while 10 were on IV fluids. The patients were isolated within the Machakos school for the deaf and are being attended to by Medical personnel from Machakos Level 5 Hospital.
Another case of Cholera was also reported at Bishop Kioko Hospital where the victim was admitted after visiting her sister in Machakos Prison over the weekend. There was also another case of a mechanic working at industrial area garages who was taken to Machakos Level V Hospital for treatment.
They have since started contact tracing to the Mechanic’s house at Makaburini to find out whether there might be other cases.
The Multi-agency Committee recommended the commencement of a public sensitization program on Cholera preventive measures through barazas and the use of the local media.
They also resolved to ban the hawking of food within Machakos Township which may lead to cholera spreading. Public health officers and Machakos sub-county administrator were informed to issue public notices about the ban and that the multi-agency teams will enforce it.
Public Health officials were urged to ensure that all local eateries and hotels observe the highest levels of Hygiene to avoid the spread of cholera. Machakos Water and sewerage company was asked to conduct tests to ascertain the quality of water used within the town including the piped water and the water boozers supplying water in town and the boreholes at the Prison and Machakos school for the deaf.
The team also recommended that the sewer line passing through Machakos school for the deaf be fixed by Machakos Water and Sewerage Company.
The dispensaries in Machakos GK prison and Machakos School for the Deaf have been restricted from public access until the Cholera outbreak is controlled. The multi-agency committee also recommended that the ECDE Centres, Feeder centers, and daycare Centres should also be sensitized on preventive measures against Cholera.
