A wave of fear and uncertainty has gripped three villages in South Mugirango following the outbreak of a mysterious disease that has left more than 200 people seriously ill. A medical officer examines samples from a patient. The affected residents are exhibiting severe symptoms, including high fever, persistent diarrhea with bloody stools and intense headaches. The sudden onset and rapid spread of the illness have heightened concerns among locals, many of whom are unsure of what is happening or how to protect themselves. Which disease is affecting people in Kisii? The dire situation is evident in villages like Amarondo, where residents are struggling to care for their ailing loved ones.
Veronica Nyomenda, a distressed mother, was among many parents rushing their children to local hospitals on Saturday, March 1. One of her three children had fallen seriously ill, displaying symptoms similar to those reported by hundreds of others in the community. However, due to financial constraints, she was unable to secure treatment and had no choice but to take her sick child back home. For families in similar circumstances, the outbreak has become even more distressing, as they lack both the resources and the knowledge to combat the illness effectively. In another family, seven members of the household have been struck by the illness, including their mother, who has become so weak that she now requires assistance from neighbors to move around.
The situation is no better in a local orphanage, where more than 15 children were rushed to the hospital after showing signs of infection. With no official diagnosis yet confirmed, locals have been left in a state of fear and confusion. Many have been relying on antibiotics provided by nearby health facilities, but the persistent symptoms and ongoing suffering indicate that these medications may not be effectively treating the root cause of the illness. Since the onset of the outbreak, an unconfirmed number of patients have been admitted to various hospitals, including Tabaka Mission Hospital, Nyatike Level Two Hospital,Royal Hospital, and Prina Hospital. The strain on healthcare facilities has been mounting as more people continue to report symptoms, creating a sense of urgency for medical intervention.
Health officials have since collected samples for further analysis at the government chemist, with results expected to provide crucial information regarding the nature of the outbreak. READ ALSO Machakos: Puzzle as residents find coffin with live chicken on their contested piece of land What has government done over Kisii mystery disease? In response, a multi-agency government task force, working closely with the Ministry of Health, has moved in to assess the situation and determine the cause of the outbreak. Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, confirmed that the ministry has deployed a team of medical experts to the affected areas, to reinforce the county health officials already on the ground.
Speaking during an event at an AIPCA church in Mwea, Kirinyaga, she reassured the public that the government is taking the matter seriously and has intensified disease surveillance and screening efforts to pinpoint the exact cause. Muthoni emphasised that identifying the source of the illness is a top priority and that all necessary measures are being put in place to contain the spread. In the meantime, authorities have issued precautionary measures, advising residents to boil all drinking and cooking water to prevent further spread of the disease.
by Harry Ivan Mboto
