The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that it is currently in Kisii County to assist in identifying a mysterious, unknown disease outbreak that has sparked a public health scare in the county.
In a statement on its X account on Monday, 3 March, WHO stated that it is on the ground in South Mugirango to help assess laboratory capacity, support laboratory officers in identifying the disease, and enhance coordination and capacity for outbreak response.
"WHO is on the ground in South Mugirango, Kisii County, working to identify the cause of an unknown disease outbreak," it stated.
"Key efforts include: assessing lab capacity, supporting lab officers to identify the disease, and enhancing coordination and capacity for outbreak response. Investigations are ongoing," it added.
Over 200 people in Kisii County have been hospitalised due to an unidentified illness, which first emerged in South Mugirango.
The disease, which was first detected about three weeks ago, has since spread to three villages: Nyabigege, Nyamarondo, and Nyarigiro.
Since the outbreak began, individuals have been admitted to Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level Two Hospital, and various private healthcare facilities.
Patients suffering from the disease have reported symptoms including severe diarrhoea with bloody stools, fever, and intense headaches.
Acknowledging the outbreak, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni stated that emergency surveillance teams from the Ministry of Health had been dispatched to assess and respond to the situation.
Speaking at an AIPCA church event in Mwea, Kirinyaga, Muthoni emphasized that the ministry had intensified surveillance and screening efforts to identify the source of the illness.
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.
“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,” she stated.
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.
