Diarrhea Outbreak at Mukumu Girls School, 124 students Hospitalized
A total of 124 female students from Sacred Hearts Mukumu Girls in Kakamega, Kenya have been admitted to the Kakamega County General Hospital due to an unknown illness.
Although the cause of the illness has not yet been confirmed, preliminary tests have ruled out cholera, and public health officials suspect that food poisoning may be the culprit behind the students’ diarrhea.
County health chief officer David Alila has reported that more students are continuing to arrive at the hospital, and medical professionals are currently conducting additional tests to identify the cause of the outbreak.
He has stated that a comprehensive report will be issued by the hospital once the tests are complete.
Efforts to speak with the school principal, Fridah Amwayi, were unsuccessful, as she did not answer any phone calls.
This sudden outbreak of illness among the students has raised concerns about the quality of food and water provided to the students in the school. While investigations are ongoing, the local government authorities have called for the school to be closed temporarily until the situation is resolved.
The incident has sparked debates on the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation practices in schools, particularly those in rural areas, where access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities is often limited.
Schools are also being urged to prioritize the health and wellbeing of their students by ensuring that they are provided with safe and healthy meals and that proper measures are put in place to prevent the spread of illnesses.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the need for better public health policies and practices to ensure that communities, particularly vulnerable groups such as school children, are protected from preventable diseases and illnesses.
Diarrhea Outbreak at Mukumu Girls School, 124 students Hospitalized
