eterinary and public health officers in Nandi have been put on red alert following the death of two people after consuming contaminated meat.
The two deceased persons had consumed the carcasses of a dead cow at Kapchewon village-Kapsengere in Terik location, Nandi south sub-county.
The duo, identified as Hillary Kipchumba 48, and Dei Mboga died at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital-Kisumu.
Nandi county director of veterinary services Dr. Kiprugut Bitok and public health counterpart Alfred Bichiy said they were yet to confirm the “actual infections’ the cows died off and the same to the victims.
According to the Nandi county chief officer for livestock Dr. Paul Sanga, areas around Kapsengere, Gambogi, and Kiboswa have been placed under quarantine.
Seven other people have been admitted to various hospitals in Vihiga and Kisumu suffering from stomach pain, headache, and diarrhea.
As the residents claimed the deaths of their cattle could be a result of anthrax, livestock, and health officers in Nandi said they were yet to get the exact cause of the animals' deaths.
“Residents are not sure of the cause of their instant deaths. We cannot rule out the cause being Anthrax virus because the area is so porous as it is a triangle border market of three counties of Kisumu, Vihiga, and Nandi,” Dr. Bitok noted.
Sick cows, according to Paul Chemwor, a livestock trader in the area, show clear signs of Anthrax.
He, however, blamed health officials for being slow in sensitizing the residents to the effects of consuming.
“Even as I’m talking to you, some people are even slaughtering and sharing carcasses from a dead cow at Gumbo village without caring about the dangers,” Chemwor said.
The last time massive vaccination against anthrax was done was before devolution in 2011, Chemwor explained.
Veterinary and public health officers said it might not be anthrax as there are many diseases that kill cows instantly and are equally harmful to consumers.
The body of Mboga,30 is lying at the St Monica Mortuary in Kisumu county, he had consumed the carcasses of his cow that died on Monday afternoon.
The deaths came after students of Mukumu girls were admitted to the hospital for consuming contaminated food.
Health officials from both Nandi and Kakamega are piecing together evidence to find if there were any relationship.
Any cow that dies of an unknown disease should not be slaughtered but be set on fire and ensure that the entire cattle is completely burnt, Bichiy said.
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