KENYA — Over 90 schoolgirls in a Kenyan school have been reported ill and having difficulties in walking.
Kenyan health authorities say the health crisis is currently under investigation as the students have been admitted to hospital.
The female students from Eregi Girls High School, located in the western part of the country, were reported to also show symptoms of knee pain.
The Western Region Director of education, Jared Obiero, said that “the education department, the county government and public health department are giving a commitment that the children will be treated.”
In the meantime, some parents have insisted on taking their children and were allowed to do so after some students went on rampage destroying government’s property.
Mr Obiero said “some parent insisted on going home with their daughters, prompting some girls to become rowdy and start throwing stones at government officials who were in the school.
“Some of our vehicle windows panes were destroyed and we allowed parents who wanted to take their children home to sign in commitment. For students whose parents did not come to the school and those whose parent did not want them to leave school remained and learning will continue as usual for the remaining three weeks” Mr Obiero said.
It was reported that blood, stool and urine samples of the sick students have been sent to laboratories in a neighbouring city in the nation’s capital, Nairobi.
While speaking on the incident, Kakamega Country Director of Medical Services, Dr.Steven Wandei said the infectious disease could wipe out an entire family if not properly managed.
“We need to find out what is ailing our girls and discover its cause before we can allow the remaining students to go back home and mingle with their other siblings. It will be disastrous if we allow the students to go home when the disease id infectious”, he said.
By last night, the number of students affected by the mysterious limb paralyzing disease had risen to 95.
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