A cholera outbreak in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, has prompted the health authorities to withdraw all medical licences issued to food handlers countrywide. About 336 cholera cases have been treated in Nairobi since May this year.
The Conversation Africa’s Health and Medicine Editor Joy Wanja Muraya spoke to Sam Kariuki on the need for an improved rapid response when there is an outbreak and how to deal with drug resistance of some cholera medicines.
Why is cholera a public health concern?
Cholera is an old disease that first occurred in the Bengal region of India, near Calcutta starting in 1817 through 1824.
Since then it has mostly affected Africa and other developing countries particularly in informal settlements that have poor sanitation and water supply infrastructure.
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