Eregi Girls Mysterious Disease Fail on Five Tests
The government’s efforts to identify the cause of illness among students at Eregi Girls High School, where nearly 100 students fell ill on Monday, have so far yielded no conclusive results. Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha informed members of the National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Education and Governance that five tests conducted on collected samples did not reveal any pathogens responsible for the illness. Nevertheless, further tests are planned to determine the nature of the illness.
Ms. Nakhumicha stated that they had been in contact with the Director of Public Health, and as of Tuesday, 95 girls were hospitalized. She mentioned that additional samples had been sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Nairobi for more in-depth analysis.
The background of this situation involved complaints from the affected students about painful knees, making it challenging for them to stand or walk. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu indicated that the students who were sent home would return to school on Monday, but the situation remained uncertain as many parents continued to pick up their daughters from school. Ministry of Education officials insisted that learning should continue, setting up a desk to record parents who chose to take their children home.
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Western regional Director of Education Jared Obiero urged parents to leave their children in school for close monitoring by health officials, especially Form Four students preparing for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. However, some parents expressed concerns about their children’s well-being and chose to take them home for counseling and comfort.
Dr. Steven Wandei, the director of Medical Services in Kakamega County, cautioned against taking the students home, citing the unknown nature of the disease and the potential risk of spreading it to families. Despite these warnings, some parents opted to bring their daughters home due to concerns about their emotional well-being.
In summary, the government’s efforts to identify the illness affecting students at Eregi Girls High School have not yet yielded conclusive results, prompting some parents to take their children home despite concerns about the potential spread of the disease. The situation remains uncertain, with further tests and monitoring planned.
