Mukuuni Boys High School students in Tharaka Nithi County were sent home indefinitely after a disease outbreak at the institution.
The County Director of Education Bridget Wambua confirmed the incident divulging that the school was closed on Wednesday, April 12.
According to Wambua, 40 students were hospitalised at Chuka Nursing Home and Chuka County Referral Hospital after displaying symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and stomachache.
She further stated that most of the students were released but two of them are currently admitted at Chuka Nursing Home.
Speaking at her office, Wambua told reporters that they cannot make any conclusions regarding the outbreak of the disease until a detailed report from the health officials is availed.
“One of our schools in the county was closed yesterday because there was a disease outbreak. Some of the boys suffered diarrhoea while others were vomiting. The school suspects the water used was contaminated during road construction works.
“However, we cannot ascertain that. We are waiting for a report from the public health officers,” she commented.
Wambua added that before the outbreak, students at the school had already started doing their end-of-term examinations but arrangements would be made for them to return and complete the tests.
The outbreak came weeks after Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls School and Butere Boys High School were also shut down due to a disease outbreak.
More than 120 students from Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls school, located in Kakamega County, were hospitalised and three of them lost their lives.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha Wafula later disclosed that the students perished as a result of bacterial infections.
A teacher at the school also succumbed earlier today as a result of organ failure. It is reported that she exhibited symptoms similar to the three students.
