Panic over outbreak of malaria in Murang'a
Central
By
Boniface Gikandi
| Feb 06, 2024
At least 93 patients have tested positive for malaria in Murang'a county.
Last week, a student from Kamahuha area succumbed to the disease at Maragua Level Four Hospital while receiving treatment.
The cases are a cause for alarm among health officials, who say it is the highest number reported in two decades.
Murang'a County Health CEC Fredrick Mbugua said necessary measures have been put in place to contain the disease.
"Malaria has been a rare disease in Murang'a for two decades. We are consolidating the data we have received in the last week to manage the disease," said Dr Mbugua.
READ MORE
10,000 Kenyans enrolled in long term care for diabetes and hypertension
Bishop questions Sh11.9 trillion public debt as hardship bites
Greedy developers and corrupt county leaders killing our cities
2025 KCSE: Boys outshine girls in Maths, Biology, Chemistry
Intra-African trade hits Sh28.8tr, but AfCFTA rollout lags
Kenyan jailed in US over terror plot akin to Sept 11
Kenyan Al-Shabaab member sentenced to life in US for September 11-style plot
Kenya ups local production of home appliances
Cytonn, creditors suffer a streak of losses at the Court of Appeal
Stakeholders warn of textbook crisis ahead of Grade 10 rollout
Public Health Department Diseases Surveillance Officer Danson Mwangi said they are working with the community health volunteers to sensitize residents on the outbreak of malaria.
Mwangi revealed that a command centre has been activated to respond to the disease.
"Relevant measures have been taken to stop the spread of the disease, with all urged to volunteer for testing," he said.
Details obtained on Monday showed that 93 patients tested positive for malaria in the tests conducted in December last year and January.
Following the outbreak that left 11 hospitalized, clinicians have been directed to interrogate the travel history of the patients testing positive for the disease, with laboratory technologists advised to report the cases immediately.
The health team has also directed the distribution of anti-malaria commodities in high-risk areas to curb the spread of the disease.
Details indicate that between December last year and January, 977 patients were screened, and 93 tested positive for malaria in various health facilities. Maragua had the highest malaria cases at 52, Kiharu 21 and Gatanga 10.