Health workers Friday sought to contain a cholera outbreak that has killed at least 64, including in areas where people were displaced amid recent post-electoral violence, an official said.
The workers are targeting 16 districts mainly in the western region, most of which were affected by violence spurred by disputed elections in December.
Of at least 1,200 cases across the east African nation in recent weeks, 45 people died in Nyanza province, 12 in Northeastern province and seven in the Rift Valley province, officials said.
They said the toll could be much higher since many deaths are not reported to authorities.
Health experts have warned of a possible disease outbreak in camps housing hundreds of thousands of people displaced by tribal fighting, revenge killings and police crackdowns following the elections.
"We are trying to reduce the prevalence of the mix up that may happen by scrutinising food donations that are brought in the camps, but mostly we are ensuring that all the water is well treated," said Titus Mungou, spokesman for Kenya Red Cross Society.
Several other aid groups are on the ground battling the highly contagious ailment.
Cholera is a waterborne disease which causes serious diarrhoea and vomiting and can be fatal if not treated within 24 hours. It can be prevented by washing hands before touching food and avoiding contaminated drinking water.
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Health-Kenya-cholera
AFP 112101 GMT 04 08
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