COUNTY ROLLS OUT INSPECTION OF LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

The County Government of Kakamega through the Department of Public Health has intensified a Countywide inspection of all learning institutions to ensure they meet the required health standards.

Addressing Members of the Fourth Estate at the County General and Referral Hospital on Friday, Kakamega County Governor H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa announced that the ongoing exercise will be conducted in all schools and other learning institutions to certify their compliance with the health requirements and directed Public Health Officers to make sure food handlers in all learning institutions have acquired medical certificates.

To avert further exposure of members of the Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School community to similar health incidents, Governor Barasa instructed the School Management to destroy all food stuff, clear up and chlorinate all water storage facilities at the institution.

A series of laboratory investigations conducted by teams from both National and County Governments pointed at water and food contamination as the main cause of the medical incident that led to the unfortunate deaths of 3 students and a teacher. Samples in water, blood and food detected presence of bacteria.

The Governor used the platform to implore parents to present their children to the nearest health facilities whenever they manifest similar symptoms.

The County surveillance team has listed 350 cases as having symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains; 12 students are admitted in various health facilities in Nairobi, Trans Nzoia, Kisii, Uasin Gishu, Bomet and Vihiga Counties.