Mystery illness kills two as 15 others taken to hospitals

A Chief pours illicit alcohol in Mathare Slums in Nairobi on July 11,2015 during a crack down on illicit brews. Residents in Tharaka-Nithi County have blamed the local administration for allowing increased brewing of local alcohol, which they says could be the source of the a mysterious disease that has killed two people in the county and left others hospitalised. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL |

What you need to know:

  • Public Health Officer Njagi Murata told Nation he had taken stool and water samples to the Government Laboratory in Nairobi and was expecting the results on Thursday.
  • Affected people have diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms.
  • He said the first patient was from Riamikuu village before the disease spread to Kioru and Ngage villages.
  • More than 15 people had been treated for the disease.

A disease that has killed two people in Tharaka-Nithi County and left others hospitalised is yet to be identified, health officials say.

Public Health Officer Njagi Murata told Nation he had taken stool and water samples to the Government Laboratory in Nairobi and was expecting the results on Thursday.

“We will make the results public once we receive them but we have ruled out the possibility of cholera,” he said.

Affected people have diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms.

He said the first patient was from Riamikuu village before the disease spread to Kioru and Ngage villages.

More than 15 people had been treated for the disease.

“We are giving patients normal diarrhoea treatment and they are responding well. We have already discharged some,” he said.

WATER CONTAMINATION

County Health Executive Magdalene Njeru said it is suspected the disease could be caused by water contamination.

She said she had taken the mobile clinic and nurses to the villages.

“Even sick members of the Kabonokia sect who are hiding in their houses must be treated,” she said.

She asked the public health department to ensure that all the families have toilets and observe cleanliness when handling food.

A resident, Mr John Muthengi, blamed the two deaths on lack of hospitals and proper roads.

He also blamed the local administration for allowing increased brewing of local alcohol, which he says could be the source of the disease.

“People are drinking very dirty local brew,” he said.