At least one person died while hundreds of others were rushed to hospital in Embu Level 5 after consuming meat from a cow suspected to be infected with anthrax at Gatumbi village in Embu County on Tuesday, March 21st.
According to Embu County Health Department, the 365 were screened and reported to be stable as they continued to receive medication. The outbreak started in Gatumbi Village in Iriari Location in Runyenjes Sub-County after locals bought cheap contaminated meat.
Mzee Patrick Ndwiga Njagi, 73, died as he was undergoing treatment at the Embu Referral Hospital. According to witnesses, a man from the village slaughtered his sickly cow on March 13 and sold the meat cheaply to the unsuspecting villagers.
After three days, the villagers started vomiting and visited Runyenjes Level Four Hospital for treatment. However, Mr. Njagi was transferred to Embu Referral Hospital where he succumbed to the sickness on Sunday as doctors attended to him.
It was reported that the deceased, who resided in Gatumbi Village, had helped his neighbor slaughter a cow. When the deceased started developing anthrax-like symptoms, he was rushed to Runyenjes Level 4 Hospital, but when his health deteriorated, he was transferred to Embu Level 5 Hospital.
The symptoms put the County Health Department on high alert and quickly swung into action to ensure the disease was contained.
“Following the suspected Anthrax Cases reported at Runyenjes level 4 Hospital, the Department of Health Services – Embu County through the Division of Public Health and sanitation swung into action to do line listing in the region.
“This process was made possible by the active participation of the community health volunteers led by the County Surveillance Officer,” a statement from Embu County Government dated Tuesday, March 21, read in part.
The statement further educated residents on what they should do to avoid outbreaks. “Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria produce spores that can survive for long periods in the environment, making them a potential biological weapon.
“Symptoms of anthrax can vary depending on the type of infection but can include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and skin lesions. Without treatment, anthrax can be fatal, particularly in the inhalational form,” the Health Department educated the public.
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