The government has confirmed that the unusual illness that has been affecting residents in Kisii County, particularly in South Mugirango Constituency, is due to water contamination.
Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, made the announcement on Tuesday, March 4. She revealed that the disease, which began spreading last month, was traced back to contamination of a community well in the area.
The well, serving many households, was found to have been contaminated with faecal matter, contributing to the spread of the illness.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health immediately deployed a team of health experts to investigate the situation and provide support to local healthcare providers. On Monday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) also joined efforts to identify the cause of the disease. Health officials visited the well that serves the affected villages, taking water samples for further analysis.
PS Muthoni assured the public that the collected samples were sent to the government chemist for thorough testing and examination.
The illness has affected more than 200 people in villages such as Nyabigege, Nyamarondo, and Nyarigiro. Those who have been impacted are experiencing a range of concerning symptoms, including high fever, severe diarrhoea (often with blood in the stools), and intense headaches.
Other common symptoms include joint pain, vomiting, and a noticeable loss of appetite. These symptoms have been persistent for over two weeks, resulting in several individuals being hospitalized at medical facilities like Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level Two Hospital, Prina Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Rongo.
As a precautionary measure, residents have been advised to boil all their drinking and cooking water.
The Ministry of Health, along with county health officials, is closely monitoring the situation. They have strengthened their efforts in disease surveillance and screening, working to identify the exact cause of the illness and implement necessary measures to contain its spread.
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