CHOLERA – KENYA (07): (WAJIR) VACCINATION
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date Fri 4 Aug 2023
Source: The Standard [edited]
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/health-science/article/2001478692/wajir-launches-10-day-cholera-vaccination-drive
Wajir County has today [4 Aug 2023] announced a 10-day vaccination
campaign to protect the population from this potentially fatal
illness. The drive launched today by the Department of Health in Buna
Sub-county will conclude on 12 Aug 2023. The targeted population is
persons aged one year and above.
Cholera, a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water or
food, poses a severe threat to public health. Rapidly affecting
communities, it can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, and even death
if left untreated.
The 1st cholera outbreak was reported in the country in October 2022
with 26 counties including our very own Wajir reporting the outbreak.
The 1st round of the campaign was conducted in February [2023] with a
99.2% national administrative coverage achieved while 99.4% was
achieved in Wajir county from the 2 targeted sub-counties of Wajir
South and Wajir East.
Nationally the country has reported a total of 11 861 cholera cases
with 194 deaths. In Wajir the 1st case of cholera was reported on 19
Nov 2022 in Darfur, Wajir South. As of 1 Aug 2023, the county has
reported a total of 958 cases.
The outbreak has been reported in all 6 sub-counties: Wajir South 71%
(677), Wajir East 7% (65), Wajir West 2% (22), Eldas 8% (85), Tarbaj
0.4% (5), and Wajir North 11% (104), with only Eldas being active and
reporting one case within the last 10 days. A total of 18 deaths have
been reported in the county so far.
To curb the spread of cholera and mitigate future outbreaks, the
county government, in collaboration with its development partners, has
taken proactive measures that include establishing a
multi-disciplinary rapid response team at both County and Sub-County
levels for increased surveillance and contact tracing, plus setting up
of cholera treatment centers in areas affected by the outbreak.
The county has also procured the essential pharmaceuticals and
nonpharmaceuticals for the management of cholera cases, distributed
commodities to promote water treatment and hand washing, and public
sensitisation among other measures.
Presiding over the launch today [4 Aug 2023], the County Chief officer
for medical and health services Mohamed Abdullahi Guhad called on the
public to be vigilant and observe strict hygiene practices during this
critical time.
The chief officer expressed his appreciation to the various partners
among them, the World Health Organization, Save the Children, The
Kenya Red Cross Society, UNICEF, World Vision International, and WASDA
for their continued support in curbing the spread of the disease.