Govt Reveals 2 Dangerous Bacteria Behind Disease Outbreak In Schools

The Ministry of Health on Friday, April 14 confirmed a reported outbreak of a possible infectious disease in Mukumu Girls and Butere Boys High Schools in Kakamega County.

Acting Director of Health Services Patrick Amoth revealed in a statement that the disease presents with fever, abdominal pain/cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea and that despite ongoing comprehensive investigations, data analyzed so far indicates that the disease was alleged to have started on March 1, 2023.

The Ministry further took several water, food and human tissue samples, from which preliminary laboratory investigations undertaken have since revealed Enterotoxigenic E. coli and Salmonella typhi as the causes of the illness.

Ministry of Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth. /PEOPLE DAILY

Further laboratory investigations carried out on the grains and pulses for aflatoxin have turned negative for aflatoxicosis- a dangerous fungal infection from poorly stored cereal grains.

"In addition, laboratory tests for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFS) including Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), Leptospirosis and Crimean- Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Dengue Fever, Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and West Nile Virus have all turned negative.

"The Ministry is conducting further analysis on these samples to ascertain any other potential cause of this illness and will communicate the finding of these tests," stated Amoth in part.

Amoth further revealed that the disease is likely to be a mixture of E. coli and Salmonella typhi which usually occurs if water sources are contaminated with these micro-organisms.

The diseases have a high potential of person-to-person spread, especially in congregate settings where people live and eat in close proximity.

As a result of the disease outbreak, as of April 14, 627 patients have been taken ill; while 19 students are currently admitted to seven health facilities across the country, all of who are in stable condition. Unfortunately, four patients died of the illness.

The Ministry of Education and Kakamega County Government have since closed the two affected schools as further investigations continue.

To avert the further spread of the infection in the surrounding community in Mukumu and Butere, and to the general public, including students and staff in schools, the Ministry urged members of the public to observe the following public health measures;

1. Maintain high standards of personal hygiene by washing hands with soap and running water,
2. Treat or boil all water for drinking and cooking
3. Properly use toilets to safely dispose of faeces
4. To properly cook all food and eat it while still hot.

"The Ministry appeals to all members of the public to be vigilant and requests that anyone experiencing fever, abdominal pains/cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting should seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility for assessment and prompt management. For any enquiries call the following emergency numbers, 0729 471414 or 0732 353535 or 719," added the statement.

Three students and a teacher succumbed to the outbreak at Mukumu Girls High School. The teacher was Juliana Mujema, the boarding mistress who succumbed to multiple organ failure while undergoing treatment

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale (centre) tours the Sacred Heart High School Mukumu on Friday, March 31, 2023. /BONI KHALWALE