Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) are in Kisii to unravel the mysterious disease that has led to the hospitalization of over 200 people.
WHO has said they are in the South Mugirango Constituency where the disease outbreak was reported to asses laboratory capacity and support lab officers identify the disease as the Kenyan government enhances capacity to respond to the outbreak.
“WHO is on the ground in South Mugirango, Kisii County, working to identify the cause of an unknown disease outbreak. Key efforts include assessing lab capacity, supporting lab officers to identify the disease, and enhancing coordination and capacity for outbreak response. Investigations are ongoing,” WHO said in their statement.
The visit by WHO officers comes after the Ministry of health had sent a team of experts to the affected area to access and investigate the cause of the disease.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said that the disease hit three villages in South Mugirango, affecting more than 200 people.
The PS said the WHO team will work together with Ministry of Health team from the county government to determine what type of disease it is from the samples they collected.
Further, Muthoni revealed that the outbreak was caused by contaminated water from a community well as she advised the communities around to boil water before use as they maintain cautiousness.
Since the reporting of the first case of the outbreak, several individuals have been admitted to Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level two hospital and other private facilities in South Mugirango.
Patients suffering from the mysterious disease reported having severe diarrhea, bloody stools, fever and intense headaches.
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