Lamu residents urged to improve hygiene to contain cholera outbreak

Lamu County is enhancing its efforts to combat a cholera outbreak that has already claimed two lives in Witu Ward, with residents being urged to ensure they observe proper sanitation.

The county’s department of public health is actively engaging local communities and schools to increase awareness and promote hygiene practices.

The outbreak, which initially emerged on Lamu Island in October 2023 and was contained by February 2024, has resurfaced with a total of 58 reported cases.

The Director of Public Health Mohamed Abubakar expressed concern over the situation, saying there are severe sanitation issues in some communities.

"It is unfortunate that in certain areas, sanitation levels are as low as 20 per cent. We are currently facing acute transmission of cholera, especially in Witu," Mohammed said.

One of the key challenges is the acute water shortage faced by Lamu Water Company, which has led residents to rely on open, shallow wells.

According to Mohammed, the quality of water from these wells is grossly contaminated, exacerbating the cholera crisis.

Interventions

To address the outbreak, the county has received support from Unicef. Mohammed detailed the interventions being implemented, which include social behaviour change communication, Wash (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programmes, and daily deployments of community response teams to affected areas.

"We have carried out extensive health education for households, disinfected affected homes, and provided chemoprophylaxis to contacts of confirmed cases," he said.

Mohammed added that they are also treating water sources and supplying aqua tabs for water purification. In addition, the county has distributed buckets, jerrycans, and soap to the community.

Unicef's assistance has extended to strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Mohammed noted that teachers have been sensitised on health and hygiene issues, and schools are now part of the outreach efforts.

"We have organised training sessions for teachers and conducted campaigns in schools to educate pupils on proper hand washing techniques and hygiene practices," he said.

Health Promotion Officer Muhsin Mohammed called on residents to adhere to hygiene guidelines to help control the outbreak.

"Everyone must follow the hygiene instructions provided to ensure that we can contain this outbreak as soon as possible," Muhsin said.