Poor latrine coverage and unsafe drinking water are helping to fuel a cholera outbreak affecting parts of Nairobi, the Rift Valley and the coastal region, the director of public health and sanitation, Shahnaaz Sharif, told IRIN on 24 June.
At least seven deaths have been recorded in the last week; four in East Pokot and three in Kaloleni (Coast Province), he said.
"In Kaloleni, the people are using an open pond for water; the case is the same in East Pokot… Latrine coverage is non-existent in East Pokot. The people are nomadic herders and use the bush for the toilet… They also have no access to roof catchments or taps for water."
At least 31 districts have been affected by cholera since January with 3,024 cases and 53 deaths recorded, according to the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
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At least seven deaths have been recorded in the last week; four in East Pokot and three in Kaloleni (Coast Province), he said.
"In Kaloleni, the people are using an open pond for water; the case is the same in East Pokot… Latrine coverage is non-existent in East Pokot. The people are nomadic herders and use the bush for the toilet… They also have no access to roof catchments or taps for water."
At least 31 districts have been affected by cholera since January with 3,024 cases and 53 deaths recorded, according to the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
aw/cb
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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