Mombasa on high Cholera alert as Nairobians flock the coast for Easter – Nairobi News

Mombasa health department is on high alert following cholera outbreak in a Nairobi hospital as visitors from Kenya’s capital troop to the tourism destination for the Easter Holidays.

Some 52 staff from The Nairobi Hospital have so far been infected with cholera on Tuesday, the day the outbreak was first reported.

It was also reported that a male worker succumbed to the water-borne disease on Tuesday morning after what his colleagues said was “a short illness.”

Due to the influx of visitors, especially from Nairobi, the Mombasa county government is now on a high alert to ensure the disease does not spread to the tourism hub.

HIGH RISK AREAS

Chief officer public health Dr Aisha Abubakar and her executive Hazel Koitaba said the county is monitoring the situation to ensure the disease does not spread to the tourism hub.

“We have enhanced surveillance on acute watery diarrhoea cases, intensified visits to health facilities for active case search and supplied chlorine, ropes, pots already distributed to sub counties for treatment of water sources especially in high risk areas such as slums,” Ms Koitaba said.

Dr Abubakar said the health officials have intensified inspections of food premises and water sources.

“We have mapped out a weekly reporting by health facilities scaled up through regular visits to the facilities,” added Dr Abubakar.

HYGIENE

The official also urged the residents and visitors to exercise maximum hygiene by washing their hands and eat only at licensed joints.

Hundreds of Nairobi and upcountry residents have trooped to the Coast region to enjoy the festivities, the county said they have however put enough mechanism to ensure the disease does not spread to Mombasa.

The Nairobi hospital’s cafeteria has been closed indefinitely as the management battles to contain the spread of the outbreak.

Most revelers travel to Mombasa to enjoy the festivities with public beaches and swahili food joints frequented by the visitors.