Disease outbreak hits Turkana Central

By Lucas Ng'asike

Medical personnel from Lodwar district have been sent to Kerio division in Turkana Central to save lives of villagers dying from an outbreak of mysterious diseases.

More than 40 people are said to have died from various diseases in the three hideouts the villagers had sought refuge in due to frequent raids at their homes by bandits.

Turkana Central Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Joseph Epem said doctors, nurses and nutritionists have moved to Louwae, Nakoret and Kangirisae to provide medical assistance to victims.

"We have dispatched a team of medical experts to provide treatment to the affected people in the area. The teams will camp there for several weeks to ensure all suspected cases are handled," Dr Epem said.

Epem said laboratory test results have indicated that most victims were suffering from dysentery, pneumonia, and malaria.

On Saturday while speaking to The Standard, Epem ruled out cholera outbreak as earlier reported.

Epem said lack of proper hygiene occasioned by congestion has also contributed to the outbreaks of disease in the areas the villagers have inhabited.

He explained that they have also transported bags of Unimix and plump nuts, which are highly nutritious foods to be distributed to the malnourished children.

He said they the team has distributed mosquito nets to the displaced families in the area to curb malaria outbreaks.

Epem said the intervention must be multi sectoral involving government and agencies.

Turkana Central DC Humphrew Nakitare said they would soon distribute additional relief food to the victims.

"We are in total control of the situation since we have moved on the ground to intervene. Diseases outbreaks are normal situation that are manageable and people should not blow it out of the proportion," Nakitare said.