Eight people have been admitted to local health facilities in Migori County over suspected cholera ailments.
The eight tested positive for Cholera symptoms pointing to high suspicion of a Cholera outbreak in the area.
On Tuesday, the county health authorities put the residents on high alert to improve their hygiene to avoid contracting the disease.
Migori County Health Executive Julius Nyerere confirmed on Wednesday morning of the eight recorded cases.
He said the eight were admitted at Migori Referral Hospital and are being attended to by the medics to avert further spread.
“We are on high alert and have warned residents to maintain hygiene to prevent further spread,” Nyerere said.
Currently, out of the eight admitted, three have tested positive for the disease.
The County Chief Officer for Health Mabel Chanzu said they have already contacted schools to exercise health caution and be alert.
According to the official, the learning institutions are potential risk areas because of the poor hygienic standards that they are sometimes exposed to.
Also put on alert are hotel operators especially those running food vending kiosks.
“We are roundly assessing the outbreak response and improving preparedness across the county,” Nyerere said.
The county has also set up a Cholera control team and desk in all the local health facilities to quickly carry out tests and issue alerts.
According to WHO, every year, there are 1.3 to four million cases of Cholera and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide from the disease.
The disease is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae.
