NAIROBI, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's health ministry said Wednesday it has stepped up surveillance for acute watery diarrhea by conducting active case searches and contact tracing after four people died of cholera last week.
The Director of Medical Services Kioko Jackson called on health workers to keenly monitor suspected cases, follow cholera management guidelines and set up treatment centers.
"We are also carrying out awareness on prevention and control through measures such as treating or boiling of water, use of latrines for safe disposal of fecal matter and early treatment of any signs of diarrhea," Kioko said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
He said the ministry has reactivated the multi-sectoral outbreak management and rapid response teams both at the national level and in the affected regions to help curb the disease.
Kioko Jackson reassured Kenyans that it will continue to monitor and coordinate response with an aim of bringing it to an end as quickly as possible.
"We have intensified inspection of public eateries and community sensitization on prevention and control of cholera," he added.
Kioko called on members of the public to be on high alert and refer any suspected cholera cases to the nearest health facility for assessment and management.
The official confirmed the outbreak that was reported in different parts of the country two weeks ago killed four people and 146 people were treated.
He called on members of the public to ensure that they observe proper sanitation and maintain high standards of personal hygiene including proper hand washing before eating food and after visiting the toilet.
Cholera is an infectious disease that comes with a sudden onset of watery diarrhea and vomiting. It is associated with taking contaminated water and/or food with cholera germs.
