Lilian Mukoche
Kakamega County, Kenya: There is a sharp decline in the number of people getting cholera and other waterborne diseases in Kakamega County, after the public embracing the measures put in place by the government to help contain the spread of Covid-19. Health experts in Kakamega County say.
These diseases have been a challenge to the Ministry of Health’s infectious disease unit.
Washing of hands and sanitizing is now a frequent norm in society something that never used to happen before.
Just like in the case of Covid-19, some interventions to prevent cholera, including the use of improved sanitation and handwashing with soap can reduce the risk.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae and remains a global threat to public health.
Researchers have estimated that every year, there are roughly 1.3 to 4.0 million cases and 21,000 to 143,000 death worldwide due to cholera.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF), approximately 80 percent of hospital attendance in Kenya is due to preventable diseases and about 50 percent of these illnesses are water, sanitation, and hygiene-related.
On Friday March 6th, 2020 Kenyans received confirmation of the first case of Covid-19, commonly known as Coronavirus. This made the Kenyan government set up necessary containment measures across the country.
Among the measures given for the public to protect themselves and others from Covid-19 is regularly and thoroughly clean hands with an alcoholic-based hand rub or wash with soap and water to eliminate germs including viruses that may be on one’s hands, Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, Cover one’s mouth and nose with bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing and finally clean and disinfect surfaces frequently especially those which are regularly touched such as door handles, faucets and phone screens.
Kenyans in the beginning had difficulties with the sudden change of doing things but had no other choice but to heed to these government measures for their own safety.
Covid-19 has changed people’s lifestyles. Wycliffe Lumumba a ‘bodaboda’ operator says that he washes and sanitizes his hands frequently compared to the past where he did this routine only before and after eating.
He says the thought of the tiny virus being everywhere he touches such as money and surfaces has made him more conscious hence increasing the number of times he washes his hands.
“The measures put in place by the government has helped me save the money i used to spend on hospital bills and buying medicine for my family due to the increased hygiene. Although the pandemic has brought adverse effects to everyone, at least there is something to smile about.” He says
Florence Maloba, a vegetable vendor in Kakamega town, acknowledges that the hygiene level among people has increased this period of COVID-19 since one is required to wash hands at every shop or market stall they visit.
“Being a mother of six, I ensure that my family observes the containment measures put in place by the government to curb COVID-19.” She says adding that Controlling her children’s movement has reduced the risk of them being exposed to dirt or contamination hence reducing the cases of illness such as stomach aches which were frequent before the corona period.
Her views are supported by Sharon Lianda, a resident from Lurambi sub-county, who advises parents to continue maintaining high hygiene even after the coronavirus is defeated for the purpose of their children’s health and well-being.
Waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid among many others have always been a challenge in most African communities.
Sophia Akoyo, a community health volunteer at Marenyo village, Butere sub-county, has joined the fight against these diseases. Her work involves raising awareness and helping community members protect themselves from contracting these deadly diseases.
This includes the monthly visits she and her colleagues make to homesteads to ensure residents maintain sanitation and hygiene. She says that the pandemic period has eased the inspection task since people are following the measures put in place by the government to curb Covid-19.
Although the communities have made big strides in combating the virus, there is much to be done. She says that people should continue practicing safe sanitation and high levels of hygiene to not only fight corona but other diseases as well.
Stephen Musonye a Public Health officer Kakamega County Municipality says that when people are cleaning up to protect themselves from Covid-19, other disease-causing germs are killed in the process, therefore, reducing the risk of contracting diseases like diarrhea, worms.
He emphasizes that people should not ignore the containment measures put in place by the government by listening to misinformation claiming that corona is not in Kenya.
He says the public health office is working with schools, communities, health centers to ensure that the public observes proper sanitation and hygiene adding that cases of waterborne diseases have gone down due to the containment measures put in place by the government during this period of Covid-19.
