Six counties in Kenya, including the capital Nairobi, are facing an epidemic of cholera, with around sixty cases recorded in the country, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday October 19 in a press release.
A highly contagious disease, cholera is transmitted through water contaminated with human excrement.
After a short incubation period of two to five days, cholera causes severe diarrhea and dehydration of the body, then, if not treated quickly, death within hours.
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17 cases in the capital
Kenyan health authorities have "
confirmed an outbreak of cholera
" in six counties across the country, including the capital Nairobi, which has 17 cases.
According to the Ministry of Health, the epidemic in this East African country of 50 million inhabitants originated "
a wedding party held in Kiambu County
", about ten kilometers north of the Kenyan capital.
Some 31 cases, half of the nationally recorded cases, have been recorded in Kiambu County.
According to health authorities, 13 patients are hospitalized.
According to the press release, the drought that the country is experiencing, of an intensity unprecedented for 40 years, "
could aggravate the epidemic
" of cholera.
In January 2016, at least 10 Somalis died of cholera and another 1,000 fell ill in Dadaab refugee camp, the world's largest, in northeastern Kenya.