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More than 20 minors have died in two weeks of suspected Viral Pneumonia in Nakuru and Baringo counties.
Fear and anxiety has gripped parents even as medics reveal that over 100 cases have been reported from various parts of the counties in the last two weeks.
The most affected are minors aged between one day and 11 months, with the main symptoms being high fever, weakness, sweating and cough.
Over the Easter weekend, four minors passed away at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.
Following the outbreak, samples have been sent to Kenya Medical Research Institute for tests as medics embarked on containing the disease.
Over 100 case
Confirming the outbreak, Nakuru Health Executive Mungai Kabii said a total of 117 cases had been reported.
"We have so far lost 20 babies in the last couple of weeks from different parts of the county while others are admitted in various health facilities," he said.
He identified Nakuru North as the most affected, with many of the minors treated at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital (PGH).
"Of the total number of cases confirmed so far, 43 are from Nakuru North. All are suffering from high fever and cough," he said.
Mungai said Nakuru North, which consists of Bahati and Ngashura, had recorded over 10 deaths. In Nakuru East and Nakuru West, six deaths have occurred while two were reported in Elburgon.
THE SAMPLES
Two other minors, who had been referred from Baringo County, died at PGH.
"Unfortunately, two of the three cases from the neighbouring Baringo passed away while undergoing treatment at the PGH," he said.
Mungai said they had so far collected culture samples and sent them for further tests.
"We are not sure what kind of virus is causing the pneumonia and we have sent samples to Kemri for further analysis and expect results by Thursday (today)," he said.
He noted Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital was the most affected as the ailing minors from different parts of the county were being referred there.
The doctor called on parents whose minors were suffering from high fever and cough to seek medical attention with immediate effect.
The hospital's superintendent in-charge John Murima confirmed the four deaths that occurred over the weekend.
He said the facility was receiving a high number of minors referred from other hospitals in the county.
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