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Health workers and volunteers offer services to locals hit by malaria in Tirioko, Tiaty. At least eight children have died of malaria in the past two weeks. [Mercy Kahenda, Standard]
More medical personnel have been dispatched to Tiaty to conduct disease surveillance and health education following the deaths of eight children.
The doctors, nurses, clinical officers, nutritionists and researchers were sent to the sub-county yesterday morning.
Speaking to The Standard, Chief Officer of Medical Services George Toromo said the team consisted of medics from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Kenya Red Cross Society and Kenyatta University, as well as county health workers.
Surveillance extended
Dr Toromo said surveillance that was being done in Tirioko ward was now extended to remote villages in Silal, Kreze and Tangulbay.
According to the Health ministry, out of nearly 1,500 suspected cases of malaria, about 500 residents tested positive and received treatment.
Toromo said the team was distributing mosquito nets and educating members of the public on malaria preventive measures. At least 1,000 mosquito nets donated by Kenya Red Cross Society have been handed out.
The health officers are also treating malaria patients.
Topin Hospital in Eldoret has donated antimalarial drugs worth Sh325,000 for children. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has also donated various drugs to the county.
On Wednesday last week, blood samples from patients were taken to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) laboratories to be tested for chikungunya and dengue fever.
Chikungunya, malaria and dengue fever are transmitted through mosquito bites. The symptoms of chikungunya and dengue fever are similar to those of malaria. They include general body weakness, headache, fever, joint pains and abdominal discomfort.
Laboratory tests
“We are still waiting for laboratory test results to know if there are some cases of dengue fever and chikungunya in the county,” said Toromo.
Other tests being conducted by Kemri are Rift Valley fever, yellow fever and West Nile cremiam hemorrhagic fever.
An additional seven community units have been set up in Tiaty, which brings their number to 30. The units are expected to detect any emergence of diseases to ensure quick intervention.
Community health volunteers in the units will work closely with local administrators to sensitise locals on various diseases and come up with preventive measures.
In 2017, there was an outbreak of malaria in the sub-county that killed about 20 people.
Areas where deaths were reported include Tirioko Kapau, Silale, Akoret, Tangulbay, Mukutani, Churo Amaya, Nginyang, Kolowa, Lokis and Rotu.
Kenya is among three African countries that were in April given the go-ahead to pilot a malaria vaccine.
The counties targeted are Busia, Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, Bungoma, Kakamega, Homa Bay and Kwale, all which have malaria outbreaks.
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