Ten students of Daystar University, Athi River campus, are being treated for cholera at hospitals in Nairobi following infection at the weekend. The first case was reported at 7 am on Saturday, head of corporate affairs Damaris Kimilu told The Star on Monday.
“This student had gone to visit her family in Kayole. She returned on Friday. She was treated at the schools’ clinic and later referred to Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Ongata Rongai for further treatment.”
Kimilu said five more students were infected by close of business on Saturday while the others were admitted on Sunday.
“One is recuperating at Aga Khan Hospital and the nine at Nairobi Women’s Hospital,” she said.
“Fourteen people had been infected but four were discharged. We expect the others will have been discharged by Wednesday.”
Kimilu said the university has set up information desks at the clinic to create awareness on the disease and prevent more infections.
“In the meantime, a plan is underway to give prophylaxis treatment to students who may have made contact with the victims and potentially the whole Athi River community, on and off campus.”
Nairobians have suffered several cases of cholera outbreaks, one being in June when nearly 50 people contracted the disease while attending a health conference at Weston Hotel.
The infected delegates were among hundreds who had gathered for a four-day forum organized by the Ministry of Health. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.