Migori on High Alert After Cholera Cases Reported in Neighbouring Homa Bay
Migori County has heightened surveillance measures after neighbouring Homa Bay reported several cases of cholera, prompting local health officials to initiate an early-response strategy to prevent the disease from crossing into the county. County Public Health Director Dancan Arunda confirmed that although Migori had not detected any cases, the proximity of the outbreak required immediate preparedness to safeguard residents, especially in rural and peri-urban settlements vulnerable to waterborne diseases.
Arunda noted that the Department of Health had already activated community surveillance networks, mobilising community health workers and volunteers across all sub-counties. These frontline workers have been sensitised on early detection, symptoms, and the reporting protocols for suspected cholera cases. Part of the prevention plan includes intensified public awareness campaigns on hygiene practices, echoing the measures previously adopted during the Covid-19 period. He added that the ongoing short dry spells had increased the need for strict water treatment at community water points to reduce contamination risks.
The county has also begun sanitation inspections in food establishments, markets, and informal eateries to ensure compliance with health regulations. Public health officers have been tasked with verifying food handling certifications and enforcing guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of waterborne infections. Arunda encouraged residents to treat household water, maintain clean latrines, and properly dispose of waste—practices that have contributed to Migori’s improved sanitation record, with latrine coverage currently standing at about 95 percent. This improvement, he said, has significantly reduced previous outbreaks of cholera and typhoid.
Looking ahead, county officials are urging urban dwellers to invest in proper waste management systems, including septic tanks, to further strengthen urban hygiene. The county is also preparing rapid-response teams that can be deployed should any suspected case emerge. Arunda emphasised that while Migori remains cholera-free, continued vigilance, community cooperation, and adherence to hygiene practices will be crucial in preventing a resurgence similar to the 2015 outbreak that strained local health facilities.