Thika residents have been cautioned against consuming meat which is not inspected by the authorities after a suspected outbreak of anthrax in the area.
The stern warning by the Department of Health Services in Kiambu County was issued after six people were admitted with suspected Anthrax at Thika Level Five Hospital on Wednesday.
Director of Clinical Services Kiambu County, Dr Jacob Toro, said that the six patients are all meat loaders at an abattoir in Makongeni, Thika.
“Last Friday we received a patient who we suspected to have been infected with anthrax. This morning we also received three male adults with similar symptoms,” Toro told members of the press on Wednesday.
“They were admitted with coetaneous lesions and samples have been taken to the Vet lab in Kabete by the disease surveillance team.”
Dr Toro said the six were ongoing with treatment and they are all stable in the hospital's isolation ward.
He reported the slaughterhouse in question has been closed assuring the public that the situation was under control and there was no cause for alarm.
“There should be no cause for alarm and people should stay calm as we are taking all necessary action to contain the situation,” Dr Toro added.
Anthrax is a fatal disease which is spread by contact with the spores of the bacteria, which are often from infectious animal products.