Following a public health scare in Kisii County, where over 200 people were hospitalised due to an unidentified illness, the government has assured swift action.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni announced that emergency surveillance teams from the Ministry of Health had been dispatched to assess and respond to the situation.
She stated that the deployed medical experts would work alongside the county government’s team to analyse collected samples and determine the cause of the outbreak.
Speaking at an AIPCA church event in Mwea, Kirinyaga, Muthoni emphasised that the ministry had intensified surveillance and screening efforts to identify the source of the illness.
“Health is a devolved function, but when something like this happens, we always send our officers from the national government, especially those from the surveillance department, to ensure that we conduct comprehensive surveillance and determine the cause of the disease,” Muthoni stated.
“We have already sent our officers on the ground, and they are working closely with the county government to analyse the samples they are collecting,” she added.
Additionally, the PS revealed that the government would only be able to decide on the appropriate course of action and medication once it is fully informed.
Meanwhile, the PS urged the country to remain calm as the situation was under control, with the government keenly monitoring the situation.
Additionally, a multi-agency government team deployed to South Mugirango, where the disease first emerged, has urged locals to seek medical attention at nearby hospitals as the Ministry of Health awaits test results from the government chemist.
Since the outbreak began, an unspecified number of individuals have been admitted to Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level Two Hospital, and various private healthcare facilities.
Patients have reported symptoms including severe diarrhoea with bloody stools, fever, and intense headaches.
The disease, which was first detected about three weeks ago, has since spread to three villages in South Mugirango: Nyabigege, Nyamarondo, and Nyarigiro.
