5 die in Wajir cholera outbreak as county sets up quarantine ward

An emergency quarantine ward has been set up at Wajir County Referral Hospital after an outbreak of cholera hit the area early this week.

According to the Public Health and Sanitation Secretary in Wajir County, Abdinur Haji Mohammed, 5 people have so far died from Cholera-related symptoms while 50 patients have been treated and discharged.

“We have 83 cases, 55 admitted and discharged and 23 patients still in isolation ward,” said Dr Mohamed.

The outbreak may have been caused by shallow water wells that are used as bucket latrine system in parts of Wajir.

Health officials however hope that with improved sanitation and isolation of infected patients the outbreak will be kept under control and many lives saved in the process.