2 dead, 9 hospitalized over an unknown disease in Meru

2 dead, 9 hospitalized over unknown disease

brian oruta

April 24, 2019 1:38 PM

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File Photo: Patients in hospital. 6 hospitalized over unknown disease (Nation)

Two people have died and nine others hospitalized over an unknown disease in Meru County.

According to reports, the unknown disease causes swelling and wounds on the people affected in what Health officials suspect to be an Anthrax outbreak.

A statement by the Meru County Government said that the nine are currently receiving treatment at Muthara Level IV Hospital.

The County's Health Chief Officer Kanana Kimonye said investigations are underway to establish the cause of the the unknown disease.

“We have been getting some cases and our public health officers are on the ground to establish whether it is an insect bite or something else. When we have the correct information, we will inform the public on how to prevent the infection,” said Dr Kimonye.

In a report by Nation, Public Health Director Mutabari Inanga, however, said they could not immediately confirm whether it was Anthrax or and insect bite because the people most affected where only children and women.

“We cannot say it is an insect bite or anthrax because it has mainly affected children and a few women. No men are affected. If we say it is anthrax, why are men not affected?" said the Meru County Health Director.

brian oruta