The Department of Public Health in Embu County has warned area residents to be on high alert after six patients were admitted at Embu Level Five hospital with cholera-like symptoms.
The County Assistant Director of Public Health (CADPH), Rosaline Kauge said the patients were admitted last week,three of them were from Nairobi and some have been discharged in stable condition.
“The other three are still in an isolation room at the hospital, two are learners; a pupil from primary school and a secondary school student,” Ms. Kauge observed.
The CADPH said the department is vigorously sensitising thearea residents on enhancing hygiene through
washing of hands after visiting toilets and also boiling drinking water.
“On top of sensitizing the public on observing hygiene we are also treating drinking water with chlorine tablets and
disinfecting the rooms which were being used by the patients at homes and schools,” she further added.
She said a surveillance team from the department has been dispatched into the field supervising food premises to ensure they observe hygienic.
“Though we have not banned public events such as weddings and funerals, we have a team which is going round supervising and advising those preparing food for such events,” she noted.
Ms. Kauge said her department is discouraging the public from eating hawked food for its hygiene is not guaranteed.
She noted they are planning for a major crackdown on food hawkers in Embu town and those found culpable will be prosecuted in court..
By Kimani Tirus
