Ministry of Health: Mukumu Girls Student Food Was Intoxicated with Faeces.
Food consumed by students at Mukumu Girls High School was contaminated with faeces according to statement issued by Director General for Health Patrick Amoth on Friday.
“The Ministry wishes to inform the general public that this 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,” he stated.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms that can cause food poisoning while Salmonella enterica typhi is a gram-negative bacterium that is responsible for typhoid fever.
Amoth also said that the laboratory investigations carried out on the grains and pulses turned negative disclosing that the ministry will on further analysis on samples presented in order to derive a possible cause of the illness.
“Laboratory tests for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) including Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Marburg Virus have all turned negative. The Ministry is conducting further analysis on these samples to ascertain any Disease (MVD), Leptospirosis and Crimean- Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Dengue Fever, Rift Valley Fever (RVF) and West Nile Virus other potential cause of this illness, and will communicate the finding of these tests.” he said.
The disease’s symptoms include fever, abdominal pain/cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. So far three students and one teacher at the affected school have died from the illness.
“We at the Ministry of Health send our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones,” he added.
According to Amoth, data analyzed so far show that the disease could have started on March 1, 2023.
He also said that by April 14, 2023, 627 patients had been tested ill while 19 students are still in seven health facilities across the country.
However, Amoth has assured that the Ministry in partnership with the other interested agencies is investigating the matter.
“The team was further backed by a high-level visit of a multi-agency team led by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, and included the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Basic Education, the Governor of Kakamega County, Western Regional Commissioner and the County Health, Education and Security teams,” he said
Amoth has urged the public to stay safe by maintaining high standards of personal hygiene and ensuring that meals are well cooked to avoid falling sick.
“We appeal to the public to be vigilant, and requests that anyone experiencing fever, abdominal pains/cramps, diarrhea and vomiting to seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility for assessment and prompt management,” he said.
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