Kenya is among countries which are experiencing an upsurge of cholera cases in the Eastern and Southern Africa, this is according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The agency said the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region in years, are now unfolding in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The agency is calling for emergency funding to broaden efforts to reach millions living across 11 eastern and southern African countries which have been hit hard by fast-spreading cholera outbreaks.
“Calling for $171 million in funds to support 28 million people suffering in the region, “the agency said.
According to UNICEF, tailored responses are already reaching many impacted, but more must urgently be done.
World health organization (WHO) indicated that the world has been grappling since mid-2021with an acute upsurge in what is the seventh deadly cholera pandemic in recorded history.
According to WHO, the spread of cholera has been worsened by poverty, disasters, conflict, and climate change consequences, like extreme storms and flooding, as well as a lack of access to safe water and sanitation.
The UN health agency estimated in February that one billion people in at least 43 countries are at risk.
WHO recommended improving the readiness of counties and health facilities to early detect and respond to the cholera outbreak as well as the reinforcement of coordination and multi-sectoral approaches.
In addition, hygiene practices in households, restaurant, hotels, refugee camps and health facilities should be improved and food safety interventions should be strengthened.
Cholera is an acute enteric infection caused by the ingestion of bacterium Vibrio cholerae present in faecally contaminated water or food. It is primarily linked to insufficient access to safe water and adequate sanitation.