Panic and fear has gripped residents of Migori county following reports of a deadly Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). The disease, which has been named 'Jakadala' by locals, is said to be so deadly that it can kill within a week after getting infected.
According to the Standard, the Migori County Health CEC Mr Iscar Oluoch has released a number health experts to the ground to assess the situation. So far, at least five people are reported to have succumbed to the strange disease.
“We have sent surveillance teams to a private hospital in Awendo Sub-county, where it was reported that two patients had the disease. We called the administrator of the hospital and the clinical officer ...our team will start from there,” Said Oluoch as quoted by the daily.
Oluoch, later on Wednesday, stated that the reports of the 'Jakadala' outbreak could not be substantiated. He held that even after a week of public health scrutiny, a team of disease surveillance experts in Migori County could not trace any incidences.
Further reports had indicated that the case was first reported at the Nyarombo gold mines. The affected individuals were then rushed to Awendo Sub-County Hospital before the news spread to neighboring areas.
Other black spot areas that similar cases are said to have been reported include the Komito quarry in Rongo Sub-county, Kuria, and Nyatike.
Residents are now urged to use protection when having sex to avoid further spread of infections even as medics work around the clock to unravel the more facts on the allegations.