Kenya Faces Cholera Outbreak Amid Heavy Rains and Flooding

Kenya has had a serious cholera outbreak recently. This is because of the long rains, which destroyed sanitation facilities and contaminated water sources. The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both reported cases and told the people what they should do to stay safe.

Cause and Impact of the Outbreak

Flooding and heavy rains have made hygiene very bad because they polluted water sources with feces and filled latrines with floodwater. Because of this, cholera has spread to Tana River County, and people in Marsabit County may have contracted diarrheal illnesses. The WHO has warned that there is a high chance that more water- and food-borne diseases will spread across the country.

Public Health Advisory

As a result of the spread, the Kenyan State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards has given people advice on how to stop it from happening. These include washing your hands properly, not drinking water that has been tainted, making sure food is safe, and getting rid of waste safely.

Children’s Health and Education

Not only have the rains spread disease, but they have also made it hard to go to school. Over 62 primary schools have been damaged, putting thousands of kids at risk of water-related illnesses, dropping out of school, working as children, and other social problems while they wait for school to start up again.

About Cholera outbreak

A cholera outbreak happens when there is a quick rise in the number of people who are sick with cholera, which is caused by drinking or eating food or water that is contaminated with bacteria. Cholera causes severe diarrhea that is full of water. If this is not handled, the person can become dehydrated and die. The bacteria Vibrio cholerae are the main cause of it. Outbreaks often happen in places that don’t have good cleanliness, too many people living in close quarters or clean water. Giving people access to clean water, better cleanliness, and oral cholera vaccines are all effective ways to stop cholera. Oral rehydration treatments and, in the worst cases, antibiotics are used to treat it.

About Waterborne diseases

Diseases that are spread by pathogenic germs in contaminated fresh water are called waterborne diseases. People usually get infections when they bathe, wash, drink, prepare food, or eat food that has been affected. These illnesses can spread in rivers, lakes, dams, and other bodies of water that are still or moving and have been polluted by human or animal waste. Some common ones are cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea. For public health and disease prevention, preventative steps like boiling drinking water, making sure toilets are clean, and getting to safe, treated water supplies are very important.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2024

Category: International / World Current Affairs