Two city hotels have suffered a big blow after the Health CS directed their temporary closure following the cholera outbreak. San Valencia and Jacaranda have been closed indefinitely until they comply with the new health safety rules.
This move comes after the two entities served meals in separate events to attendees who were later hospitalized with cholera-like symptoms. Cleopa Maillu explained that the two establishments will stay closed until they comply with the new stringent health measures.
This is the first of many closures which will affect city businesses as many hotels and food establishments strive to meet the new food safety standards.
The Health Cabinet Secretary has cautioned hotels against outsourcing food from private caterers when they know they cannot manage the number of people coming to a conference.
He stated that the management must see the City Public Health Department prior to their engagement so that its officers verify that the source of food is up to standard. He further cautioned that the public health department would be very strict with the compliance with the new rules to prevent further infections.
The CS also expressed that the city has many food handlers and it may be tough to authenticate all the food handlers certificates hence urged the public to be keen on where they eat.
Maillu said this after visiting Kenyatta National Hospital which has received 101 patients since April when the disease was first reported. In his speech, Maillu also directed that the city government check water sources for the strain of cholera affecting residents. He added that they would pursue a crackdown on illegal water bowser operators and vendors who are taking advantage of the city’s water shortage.
The highly contagious disease is typically contracted from infected water, causing severe diarrhea and vomiting.
The first case was reported on Weston Hotel in Lang’ata, Nairobi where doctors attending a conference were admitted to hospital after contracting the disease.
There has been a steady rise in the number of patients testing positive for the disease necessitating the drastic measures taken by the National and county governments.
Several cases have been reported in other Counties including Nakuru and Garissa. The public is now cautioned against eating street food and taking untreated water.
To the government, this is just the start of many moves in the fight against cholera. All food handlers will be required to acquire new certification within 21 days or risk closure of their businesses. Further, the workers of hotels and food establishments will undergo mandatory testing to eliminate the risk of spreading the fatal disease.