Two die, 30 hospitalized after cholera outbreak in Kenyan prison

At least two inmates have been confirmed dead and 30 others hospitalized following outbreak of cholera at a prison in the coastal city of Mombasa.

Coast Prison Commandant James Kodeny said the 30 patients have been isolated within the prison facility because of security reason. Kodeny said health officials have visited the facility to contain the spread of the disease.

"The relatives of the deceased have been informed; all the previous cases have been managed. County government has brought in medicines to assist as sort out the problem." said Kodeny.

He said investigation indicates the inmates were infected by some remandees admitted at the prison and had contracted the disease from outside.

"We have managed to contain the disease, movements within the facility are being monitored and everybody is being screened before allowed into the prison," said the commandant.

He said they have set up preventive measures including chlorination and disinfection of solid and liquid waste within the highly secured facility to curb the spread of the disease.

The prison has more than 2,000 prisoners, including terror suspects and Somali pirates serving jail terms.

Kenya's health ministry said Tuesday put the number of cholera deaths in the country at 65, with 3,235 cholera cases being reported nationally. The ministry said 11 counties have been affected by the cholera outbreak since December 26, 2014. Endi