A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
New cases of cholera continue to emerge following an outbreak that was picked by surveillance system in the last week of December 2014 in Nairobi County. 21 counties have so far reported cases, and while some of these have successfully controlled the outbreak, a number of counties such as Kirinyaga, Embu, Baringo and Migori (among others) have reported new cases after successfully controlling the first wave of outbreak and declared as cholera free. Other counties such as Baringo and Wajir are reporting cases in sub counties that had previously reported none (Some of the counties are vast and outbreak in one part of the county may not be related to an outbreak in another part of the county in terms of transmission). As at 11 September 2015, 6529 cases and 131 deaths had been reported (Case Fatality Rate 2.0%)1.
The Ministry of Health has taken lead in outbreak control (management of cases and in efforts for prevention of new infections) and although significant gains have been made, re-emergence of second and third waves of the outbreak points to challenges in control efforts, which has resulted in cases being reported eight months from the index case. Laboratory investigations in the recent past have pointed that the Vibrio responsible for the current outbreak is Vibrio cholerae (serovar ogawa). Results for genetic mapping has not been shared and it is not quite clear whether it is the same species causing the outbreak in the 21 counties.
On 2nd August 2015, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released CHF 140,244 from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) as a loan to support the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) respond to the needs of the affected population. The DREF loan operation was intended to support 30,893 households (185,360 people) in the Wajir and Baringo counties, with health care, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion activities; over a period of three months. To date this appeal is only 3% covered and IFRC, on behalf of the Kenya Red Cross, would like to thank partners including Japanese Red Cross for their generous contribution. Other partners are encouraged to consider supporting the Appeal to enable KRCS provide assistance to the targeted beneficiaries through the planned activities as detailed in the Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA).