Four dead, over 100 others in hospital after malaria outbreak in Baringo

Four people have died and over 100 others admitted to hospital after a malaria outbreak in Baringo County.

The deceased are two children and two adults from Kongor.

“My teams are on the ground, screening and treating the residents and will monitor to reduce risk of more of them developing the same symptoms,” Baringo Health CEC Mary Panga said.

The patients from Tirioko ward in Tiaty east sub county had complained of vomiting, headache and fever.

Areas most affected are Kulol, Kaghat, Kongor, Chesawach, Akoret, Kapau, Atirir, Chesotim, Lokis, Ng’aina, Korelach and Krese.

It is suspected that the outbreak emerged a week ago but the CEC assured residents that the situation is under control.

According to Tirioko ward MCA Sam Lokales, it is estimated that thousands of people have been affected by the outbreak.

“In Akoret division there is no single dispensary. Kapau, Chesawach, Kongor areas depend on herbalists and also extortion of evil spirits and it is like we have been forgotten by the county government,” he said.

He revealed that in Chewara, Sugut,Kamrio, Ptikii ,Kapunyan dispensaries, there are no nurses and drugs.

However, the county health CEC said there are enough drugs from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) at the Kapau dispensary.

“All Tiaty residents and Baringo residents at large should know that malaria is a controllable disease and they should sleep under mosquito nets,” she said.

Two years ago, over 20 people died from malaria in the same region.

Reports indicate that most of the residents do not have mosquito nets and are exposed to harsh climatic conditions.

Sick people were spotted laying down in their homesteads unable to access medication due to the weak body joints and medical facilities too far away.