Kisumu health agencies are on high alert after twenty patients were admitted for bilharzia (schistomiasis).
Dr. Gregory Ganda, Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Medical Services, Public Health, and Sanitation, said the cases were confirmed at Singida and Ogenya beaches in Nyando Sub-County following public complaints.
“Community members were discovered with complaints of passing blood in urine, blood in stool, distended abdomen, generalized weakness of the body, and discomfort during urine passage,” he explained.
Dr. Ganda stated that samples were collected from affected individuals for analysis, and that laboratory results confirmed bilharzia.
According to WHO guidelines, if testing results show that more than 10% of the population has the disease, everyone in the area must be given drugs; if it is less than 10%, the drug will be administered only to those with symptoms.
Bilharzia is one of the most overlooked tropical diseases in Western Kenya. Although Lake Victoria is the primary source of infection, there is evidence of inland transmission, particularly in informal settlements.
The worms that cause the disease are consumed when people consume contaminated water and food, practice poor hygiene, consume undercooked meat, or come into contact with germ-infected surfaces.
