Health officers in Murang’a County have commenced sensitization forums to educate locals on various ways to control the spread of malaria.

The move comes after the county has witnessed an upsurge of malaria cases since January this year.

Murang’a County Health Promotional Officer Danson Mwangi has noted patients with fever-like symptoms have tested positive to malaria.

He revealed many local hospitals have recorded increased cases of Malaria thus the move to rope in all stakeholders to educate locals on ways to avoid contracting the disease.

‘We have started meeting with key stakeholders in the health sector who will move to the grassroots and sensitize the residents on ways of avoiding the disease. Murang’a has not been malaria endemic but since the beginning of this year, there has been an upsurge of the disease.’ Mwangi told KNA on Wednesday.

The county, he observed, towards the end of last year received heavy rainfall stating stagnant water especially near homes has been breeding areas for mosquitoes
.

‘Currently we could witness stagnant water at home compounds or near residential areas. This can be blamed for increased cases of Malaria,’ he noted.

Mwangi said all public hospitals have been advised to test patients especially those with fever-like symptoms of malaria saying the facilities have been stocked with drugs to treat the disease.

‘Some of the leaders we are engaging in the sensitization exercise are chiefs and their assistants, community and church leaders, and school heads among others. We expect them to educate people on how to do environmental manipulation, ensuring there are no breeding areas for mosquitoes near their workplaces and residential areas.

‘Locals near to clear bushes in their home compounds and ensure no open containers with water where mosquitoes can breed.’ Explained Mwangi.

He further called the residents to ensure they sleep under treated mosquito nets saying in the past year’s locals have not been active in having the nets since the county was some years back declared
a malaria free zone.

Mwangi added ‘Boarding schools which have reported cases of malaria need to spray dormitories often since once a student has tested positive for the disease it can easily spread to others. So for learning institutions it’s advisable as they clear the compound, they also do thorough spraying.’

Source: Kenya News Agency