Malaria outbreak reported in Marakwet

Eight people have died and 34 others have been hospitalised in the last three days following a reported outbreak of malaria and typhoid in Marakwet District, western Kenya, according to local media. The areas of Marakwet most seriously affected were in the east, namely Koibirir, Mokoro and Endo, the ‘East African Standard’ reported on Thursday. Marakwet District Disease Surveillance Officer David Smith had confirmed the outbreak, and said that 20 victims were admitted to Endo Mission Hospital and 14 more to Tot sub-district hospital, it said. Councillors William Cheptoror of Mokoro and Isaac Kiprop of Koibirir said the problem of malaria in the area had been compounded by lack of medical personnel and drugs; they said lack of medical staff was due to the recent massive transfer of nurses from Kerio Valley without replacement, it added.