Panic over outbreak of malaria in Murang'a

Residents issued with mosquito nets during a previous Malaria awareness drive. [File, Standard]

At least 93 patients have tested positive for malaria in Murang'a county.

Last week, a student from Kamahuha area succumbed to the disease at Maragua Level Four Hospital while receiving treatment.

The cases are a cause for alarm among health officials, who say it is the highest number reported in two decades.

Murang'a County Health CEC Fredrick Mbugua said necessary measures have been put in place to contain the disease.

"Malaria has been a rare disease in Murang'a for two decades. We are consolidating the data we have received in the last week to manage the disease," said Dr Mbugua.

Public Health Department Diseases Surveillance Officer Danson Mwangi said they are working with the community health volunteers to sensitize residents on the outbreak of malaria.

Mwangi revealed that a command centre has been activated to respond to the disease.

"Relevant measures have been taken to stop the spread of the disease, with all urged to volunteer for testing," he said.

Details obtained on Monday showed that 93 patients tested positive for malaria in the tests conducted in December last year and January.

Following the outbreak that left 11 hospitalized, clinicians have been directed to interrogate the travel history of the patients testing positive for the disease, with laboratory technologists advised to report the cases immediately.

The health team has also directed the distribution of anti-malaria commodities in high-risk areas to curb the spread of the disease.

Details indicate that between December last year and January, 977 patients were screened, and 93 tested positive for malaria in various health facilities. Maragua had the highest malaria cases at 52, Kiharu 21 and Gatanga 10.