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Cholera in Kenya
Recommendations for Control of Cholera Outbreak in Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received notice of an outbreak of cholera in the Dadaab refugee camps in northeastern Kenya. As of April 13, 2007, 1 laboratory-confirmed case, 17 suspect cases, and 2 deaths have been reported in the Hagadera, Ifo, and Dagahaley camps. An investigation has been initiated, and water and sanitation measures are being implemented. CDC will continue to share information as it is received.
Cholera is an acute bacterial disease characterized by profuse painless watery stools, nausea, and vomiting. Because cholera spreads by contaminated food or water and infection commonly requires ingestion of large numbers of organisms, disinfection or boiling of water prevents transmission. Appropriate hand hygiene after defecating and before preparing or eating food is also important for preventing transmission. The incubation period is typically 1 to 5 days. Therefore, a holding period of 5 days would significantly reduce the risk of importation of cholera into the United States by U.S.–bound refugees.
In response to this outbreak, CDC has developed interim recommendations to prevent the importation of cholera into the U.S. by refugees. The following recommendations are being implemented overseas. They should be considered interim and may change as the investigation evolves:
- Refugees from the Dadaab camps will remain in the Nairobi Transit Center (NTC) or another transmission-free area for 5 days before departure to the U.S.
- During these 5 days, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will monitor refugees at the NTC for any signs or symptoms of cholera. Refugees with signs or symptoms of cholera will receive appropriate evaluation and management.
- IOM will implement cholera awareness education, with emphasis on good hand hygiene practices, for refugees in the NTC.