Khasoko Boys High School in Bungoma County has been closed indefinitely following the death of one of the students.
Bungoma CECM for Health and Sanitation Dr Andrew Wamalwa stated that the problem started on May 17th after 24 students developed severe headache and general body weakness.
He revealed that the students were taken to Khasoko Health Centre for medical examination. 10 students tested positive with malaria while two had severe malaria.
Dr Wamalwa noted that the students were treated and discharged.
One of the students who tested positive for severe malaria had persistent headache and became weak hence was transferred to Bungoma County Referral hospital for further treatment. He passed away on May 19.
On the same date, 31 other students who developed malaria symptoms were taken to Khasoko Health Centre, treated and discharged.
From a student population of 1,128, 117 students tested positive for malaria.
The CECM revealed that health officials from the County health and sanitation department visited the school to ascertain if everything was okay.
Samples of food and water were taken for testing but results reveal that everything is okay.
Wamalwa revealed that the health officials found out that the school was running without malaria preventative measures.
“The school was not sprayed against mosquitoes at the beginning of the term,” he noted, adding that no mosquito nets were found in dormitories.
He encouraged schools in Western and Nyanza regions, which are known to experience the epidemics of malaria, to take preventative measures of malaria.
“Dormitories and class rooms should be sprayed against malaria to avoid such incidents in future. Schools should also drain stagnant water and clear bushes near the school,” he advised.
To curb the high number of malaria cases in the region, Wamalwa encouraged residents to sleep under treated mosquito nets.
He added that the county has plans to roll out mass nets distribution to the locals as a strategy to fight malaria.
Alfred Nyongesa, Bungoma county Head of Public Health and Sanitation, called on parents not to panic as education and health stakeholders are on the ground to contain the situation.
He also urged parents to respond promptly to medication for their students who are at home.
