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Alert as malaria cases increase

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 08:11

Medical personnel in Nyamira District have been put on high alert following an upsurge of malaria cases. Acting medical officer of health Ondari Bw’Otieno said the disease had killed more than 59 people, mostly children and expectant mothers, in the district over the past four months.

Dr Bw'Otieno, who is also the Nyamira District Hospital Medical Superintendent, said 85 people died in the same period last year. Speaking in his office, Dr Bw'Otieno said that the district had enough drugs for malaria.

Cases of the disease rise after the long rains subsidise in May, June, July and August. This year, 64,282 out-patients sought treatment for malaria and 1,209 were admitted in hospital. "The big number of people seeking medication is a clear indication that people are heeding our call for them to seek early treatment," said Dr Bw'Otieno.

Treatment of malaria was free in public health facilities. Dr Bw'Otieno said 1,000 treated mosquito nets donated by the Government would be given to needy pregnant women. Public health officer Joshua Bosire said a project to spray insecticide in homes had started and targeted 80 of homes in the district