Two dead from suspected cholera in Embu

Embu Health Executive Dr Jamleck Muturi speaking at County Primary School.

Two Embu county residents have died of suspected cholera while receiving treatment in Siakago and Runyenjes referral hospitals.

Health executive Jamlek Muturi said 26 patients have been admitted with the same in hospitals across the county and are in isolation wards.

He said tests are being carried out on water sources in the region to determine if they are contaminated with vibrio Cholerae bacteria that causes the disease.

He said the county government has banned food hawking as health officials curb the spread of the disease.

Muturi has warned the public against eating food in areas where they are not certain of the water sources.

He said they are working in partnership with national government to make sure people follow the directives laid down to prevent more deaths.

Muturi guaranteed the residents that the situation has been kept under control by a  team of doctors who are working round the clock to bring the health situation in the area to where it was before the outbreak.

By last Friday, 17 people had been admitted with cholera related symptoms, particularly vomiting and diarrhoea at Embu Level Five Teaching and Referral, Runyemjes, and Kiritiri Hospitals.

Muturi said eight had been treated and discharged, and advised residents to ensure that they boil water before drinking, maintain basic hygiene and cook food properly.

He said those infected in Runyenjes are suspected to have taken water from the Ena piped water project, and water from the Thuci River, which is not treated with chlorine as the project does not have a treatment plant.

He said in Embu Town patients from Grogon area who were hospitalised are suspected to have drank water from Rupingazi river or from a nearby well among others.