Homa Bay, 10 January 2023 – The Homa Bay County Government has suspended food hawking as part of measures to contain a recent cholera outbreak. Health officials have also heightened surveillance in public spaces to prevent further infections.
Health Chief Officer Kevin Osuri explained that banning the sale of food items like mandazi, groundnuts, and boiled maize—often handled with bare hands—is a critical step in slowing the disease’s spread. Peddling these foodstuffs is likely to increase the spread of the disease because many people handle them without washing their hands, he said.
So far, eight people have contracted cholera, with five discharged and three still receiving treatment. The Homa Bay Referral Hospital has set up isolation tents and stocked adequate fluids and antibiotics. Medecins Sans Frontieres is also on standby to attend to patients showing symptoms, which include watery diarrhea, vomiting, and high fever.
The county government has activated outbreak management teams across all subcounties and is conducting household follow-ups to ensure proper containment measures. Officials are urging residents to avoid open defecation, a common practice in areas such as Ndhiwa and Rangwe, which promotes the spread of cholera.
County Referral Hospital CEO Peter Ogolla stressed the importance of early treatment, noting that cholera can be fatal if not promptly addressed.
Homa Bay authorities continue to appeal to residents to maintain hygiene and report suspected cases as part of ongoing efforts to curb the outbreak.