Nakuru County on high alert after malaria outbreak in Baringo
Gongoni Primary School pupils demonstrate how to prevent malaria infection by sleeping under a treated mosquito net. A malaria outbreak has led to at least 30 deaths in five counties, while more than 700 people have tested positive for the disease. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Outbreak in neighbouring Baringo County led to many deaths.
Nakuru’s Disease Surveillance System is operational and will address emergency cases.
Dispensaries not operational due to nurses’ strike.
The Nakuru Health Department is on high alert following the outbreak of malaria in neighbouring counties that has led to more than 30 deaths.
No case has been reported in Nakuru so far.
PREVALENCE
Health Chief Officer Samuel Mwaura said Lower Subukia, Rongai and Solai have a high malaria prevalence.
“We are on the lookout just in case of an outbreak,” he said.
Dr Mwaura said that despite the nurses’ strike, the Health department had ensured emergency cases are attended to.
OUTBREAK
“Although most of the dispensaries are not operational due to the nurses’ strike, the Disease Surveillance System is still operational and ready for response,” he said.
Malaria outbreak has been reported in more than five counties – Baringo, Lamu, Marsabit, Turkana and West Pokot, with more than 700 people testing positive for the disease. Baringo neighbours Nakuru County.
