Minor bitten by hyena out of danger

Ripali Lenerpita, eleven undergoes treatment at Nakuru Level Five hospital after being wounded by hyena. MARCH 16, 2019. [PHOTO: MERCY KAHENDA]

An 11-year-old girl who was mauled by a hyena is out of danger after a successful operation at the Rift Valley Provincial Hospital.  

Ripali Lenerpita, from Opiroi village in Samburu, was admitted at the hospital on Friday night with deep bites on her face, cheeks, jaw, neck, head and limbs.

The hospital head of clinician services, Joseph Keriyo, said the girl underwent a successful removal of damaged tissue and stitching on Saturday.

“Although the girl was received in a very critical condition and had facial injuries mostly on the cheeks and eye lids, she is out of danger after a successful operation," said Keriyo.

The clinical officer said hyena bites are dangerous to human health and can cause tetanus, rabies and eye infections.

At the hospital, she was administered with anti-rabies and tetanus vaccines to prevent infections acquired from bite of the wild animal.

"More observations and treatment shall be conducted to ensure the girl is free from diseases and infections caused by wild animals bites," he said. 

Lenerpita's father, Peter Lokor, told The Standard the girl was bitten by hyena while herding livestock.

Lokor said the girl was with her mother who was also attacked while trying to rescue her.