Malaria outbreak death toll rises to 15 in Marsabit county

Blood sample being taken on a slide for Malaria examination under a microscope. (courtesy)

NAIROBI—The number of deaths from Malaria outbreak has hit fifteen over the past one week with two cases reported in Illeret while 13 others succumbed in Dukana and North Horr, Marsabit County.

According to Marsabit County director of preventive health services Dr Boru Okutu, 136 patients tested positive of Malaria.

The public health director Adano Kochi said the region has been greatly affected by the nationwide nurses’ strike since most of the health facilities are run by nurses.

“The affected area is vast and most people live up to 70 kilometers from medical centers. Hence they get to the dispensaries in critical condition while some die on arrival,” said Mr. Kochi.

He also said that health facilities in the affected areas also lack anti-malarial drugs.

“The governor has contacted the ministry of health for support in handling the crisis. The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority and the Kenya Red Cross Society are set to deliver medical supplies to handle the emergency,” said the public health director.

Speaking after meeting ward representatives from the affected area, Marsabit governor Mohamud Ali said health officers would be deployed in the area as from Friday.

Kenya Red Cross regional coordinator Talaso Chucha said a report given by the County Steering Group showed that 15 people among them three children below the age of five had died.

“The county steering group has appealed for malaria drugs, rapid test kits and mosquito nets in the bid to counter the current situation. We are working hard to see to it that the situation is controlled,” said Ms Chucha.

Ms Chucha said that Red Cross would dispatch 60 nurses to the affected region to help contain the disease.