Kenya: 2022/2023 Cholera

[Pathfinder]

30/05/2023

MSF warns of looming health catastrophe in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps

A cholera outbreak in the camps has affected 2,786 people so far and there is an imminent risk of outbreaks of other gastro-intestinal diseases, warns MSF, which is calling for immediate action from donors and aid agencies to address the unsanitary conditions and overcrowding in the camps.


Nairobi, 30 May 2023 – More funding is urgently needed to avert a looming health catastrophe in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps, warns international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) today. A cholera outbreak in the camps has affected 2,786 people so far and there is an imminent risk of outbreaks of other gastro-intestinal diseases, warns MSF, which is calling for immediate action from donors and aid agencies to address the unsanitary conditions and overcrowding in the camps.

The three refugee camps which make up the Dadaab complex, located in Kenya’s north-eastern region, are home to over 300,000 refugees, most from neighbouring Somalia. Their population has grown rapidly in recent months due to an extended drought in Somalia, leading to severe overcrowding and increased pressure on existing services, including supplies of drinking water and latrines.

“The gravity of the situation demands urgent attention, particularly in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene,” says Hassan Maiyaki, MSF country director in Kenya. “We have already seen the worst cholera outbreak in five years and the risk of other epidemics breaking out is high. If this occurs, it would outstrip medical capacity in the camps, with potentially catastrophic consequences.”


...https://msf.or.ke/en/magazine/msf-warns-looming-health-catastrophe-kenyas-dadaab-refugee-camps

 

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 28: 10 - 16 July 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 16 July 2023

Kenya

Cholera

11 861 cases
194 Deaths
1.6 % CFR
3 Grade

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The outbreak of cholera in Kenya continues to recede
with a sustained decline in the weekly number of new
cases. In epidemiological week 28 (week ending 16 July
2023), a total of 26 new cases with zero deaths were
reported from five (5) counties across the country. This is
a 33% decrease in the number of new cases compared
to the preceding week when 39 cases were reported
from six counties. Most of the new cases were reported
from Nairobi County (n=12) followed by Mandera County
(n=8). Three other counties (Busia, Mombasa, and Wajir)
reported two cases each. No new deaths have been
reported in the last three weeks.

Cumulatively, 11 861 cases with 194 deaths (case
fatality ratio 1.6%) have been reported from 26 out of
Kenya’s 47 counties since the onset of the outbreak
in epidemiological week 40 of 2022 (week ending 09
October 2022). There have been two main waves of the
cholera outbreak, first peaking in week 50 of 2022 when
511 cases were reported. A second peak was reported
in week 09 of 2023, with 558 cases. Deaths peaked in
week 10 of 2023, with 11 deaths reported. Since then, the
weekly number of cases and deaths continue to decline
gradually. Most of the cases have been reported from
Garissa (n= 2 853), Mandera (n= 2 234), and Nairobi
(n=2 172) counties, which together constitute 61% of the
cumulative cases reported to date. Nairobi County has
reported the most deaths (n=58, 30%). Of 11 835 cases
with known age and sex distribution, 52% (n= 6 208) are
males. The age group less than five years old are the
most affected, constituting 22% of the cumulative cases
reported. Forty-seven per cent (47%) of all cases have
been reported among children less than 20 years old.
Most deaths (134, 69%) have occurred among males.
Of the cumulative cases reported, Vibrio cholerae was
isolated from 567 stool samples cultured. A total of 2 247
samples also tested positive by rapid diagnostic test
(RDT).

In the last four weeks, the outbreak has mainly been
concentrated in 11 counties, with most new cases
being reported from Mandera (n=87), Nairobi (n=65),
Homa Bay (n=40), Wajir (n=33), and Mombasa (n=30).
However, the weekly trend continues to decline in these
counties, with only six reporting cases in the last 14 days.
The peaks in cholera cases in the current outbreak in
Kenya have largely correlated to a seasonal pattern
observed in recent years, with cases rising during the
country’s two rainy seasons which run from March to May
and October to December when heavy rains and flooding
can contaminate water sources and fuel transmission
of the disease particularly in urban slums and densely
populated areas with limited water sanitation and hygiene
(WASH) services.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The response to the cholera outbreak continues to be
coordinated by the Ministry of Health of Kenya. Weekly
meetings involving stakeholders and partners are
convened at the Public Health Emergency Operations
Centre (PHEOC) to coordinate and strengthen
response operations as the outbreak evolves.

At the sub-national level, County Health Management
Teams (CHMT) are in charge of coordinating outbreak
response activities. Training on cholera preparedness,
readiness and response has been conducted for
health workers in the affected counties in order to
build subnational capacities for cholera response
operations.

Enhanced surveillance in affected counties is ongoing
for early detection and reporting of cases. Health
workers, at both health facility and community levels,
have been orientated on cholera case definitions.

Laboratory supplies are prepositioned at health
facilities for the rapid diagnosis of cases and core
laboratory technicians in priority counties have
been trained on conducting culture and Aspartate
Aminotransferase (AST) tests for diagnosis.

Cholera Treatment Units/Centres (CTU/CTC) are
operational in the affected counties to manage
patients with the disease.

WASH and infection prevention control (IPC) activities
are ongoing. Over 163 Public Health Officers (PHOs)
and WASH stakeholders from line ministries have
been trained in water quality surveillance, monitoring,
and reporting.

A reactive oral cholera vaccine (OCV) campaign was conducted in selected sub-counties, including those
hosting refugee populations. Of 2 050 484 persons targeted, an administrative coverage of 99.2% was achieved
for single-dose OCV. Post-campaign survey adjusted the coverage to 93.2%. A total of 1.5 million doses have
been received from the International Coordination Group (ICG) for the second phase of the reactive campaign.

Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) and social mobilization activities in the affected
communities and at-risk communities are also ongoing through the distribution of Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) materials and mass media engagements.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The sustained outbreak of cholera in Kenya highlights the perennial WASH issues which continue to challenge a
number of countries in the African region. The government response to the outbreak, with support from WHO and
partners must be acknowledged as a contribution to the current downward trend. It is imperative that concerted
efforts are exerted to end the current outbreak before the onset of the upcoming rainy season to avoid a resurgence
of new cases. Long-term cholera control measures must focus on sustainable investment in the critical areas of
surveillance, provision of adequate WASH services, vaccination, case management and community engagement to
prevent recurrent outbreaks and put the country on track for meeting the global goal of eliminating cholera by 2030.
...
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/371502/OEW28-1016072023.pdf​

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/hea...-cases-in-nairobi-mandera-as-death-toll-rises

New cholera cases in Nairobi, Mandera as death toll rises
By Mercy Kahenda | 13h ago | 2 min read

​At least 10 cases of cholera have been reported in the country in the last 10 days, with children below the age of 10 years being the most affected.

The cases have been reported in Nairobi and Mandera counties. According to the cholera situation report by the Ministry of Health, Mandera is leading with eight cases, followed by Nairobi with two cases.

The two cases bring to a total of 11, 872 reported in the country since October last year.

“In the past 10 days, 10 cases were reported nationwide in the following two counties (active outbreak): Mandera (8), and Nairobi (2),” reads a section of the Ministry’s cholera situation report dated July 25, 2023.

Cholera cumulative deaths stand at 194. “Among the 194 deaths reported, 78 (40 per cent) are from Nairobi, and Tana River counties, while Garissa and Wajir account for 35 (18 per cent) deaths in total,” adds the report.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/the-migori-cholera-outbreak-not-fully-contained/


The Migori cholera outbreak not fully contained
KNA2 October 6, 2023 Counties, Editor's Pick, Health, Migori

The Cholera outbreak that hit parts of Migori County in recent weeks is yet to be brought fully under control.

Although the number of patients admitted to local hospitals has declined, fears are that the disease that has claimed the lives of up to 10 people is still lurking within the region due to the bad sanitation in most human habitats in both ur​ban and rural areas...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.kbc.co.ke/new-cholera-cases-reported-in-dadaab-refugee-camp/

New cholera cases reported in Dadaab refugee camp
By Kinyungu Kithendu -
October 14, 2023​

Barely three months after Garissa County was declared cholera-free, new cases have been reported in the Dadaab refugee complex sending panic across the border county.

At least six cases have been recorded at Hagdera refugee camp according to Garissa County health department...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/cholera-outbreak-sparks-public-health-concerns-in-lamu-as-hotels-closed/


Cholera outbreak sparks public health concerns in Lamu as hotels closed
KNA6 November 23, 2023 Counties, Culture & Arts, Editor's Pick, Health, Lamu 0

In the wake of a confirmed cholera outbreak, Lamu County’s Public Health Department has taken swift action by temporarily closing down all hotels and eateries pending a health assessment from the public health officers.

The move comes after 22 patients were hospitalized at King Fahd Hospital after exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting and stomach pains.

County Public Health Officer Mohammed Abubakar acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured the public that necessary measures have been implemented to contain the outbreak.

“We are working diligently to ensure that all hotels and eateries adhere to health and safety regulations to prevent the further spread of cholera,” stated Abubakar.​..