Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 202704,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/202704/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 84,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Dr. Machage",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Health",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 179,
        "legal_name": "Wilfred Gisuka Machage",
        "slug": "wilfred-machage"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is a Statement in response to Mr. Cheboi's request over the deaths of two citizens in his constituency from a mysterious disease. The Ministry of Health has received reports of deaths of two women in Kuresoi area of Molo District between 15th and 16th September, 2007. Both had fever, headache and difficult in breathing and they died before they could get medical attention in health facilities. A third lady who presented the same symptoms and conditions was treated for malaria and recovered fully. A medical team sent to the area by the Rift Valley Provincial Medical Health Officer confirmed the deaths of the two adult ladies and obtained details on these cases as follows:- One of the victims, a 22-year-old lady, fell sick on 15th September, 2000, with headache, fever and chest congestion. She died at home on 16th September, 2007, before seeking medical treatment. The second victim, a 31-year-old lady, had complained of fever and difficulty in breathing that started on 14th September, 2007. She died on 15th September while on her way to a health facility. The third victim, who presented the same symptoms seen in the two deceased women, was a 17-year-old school girl. She had complained of headache and joints pain from 16th September, 2007. She was seen in a private health facility where she was treated for clinical malaria. She responded well to treatment and has since recovered fully. No other cases have been reported in the area and none of the victims had travelled out of the area in the recent past. Initial analysis of the deaths of the two women undertaken by the technical officers in the Ministry indicate that they are unlikely to have been caused by viral haemorraghic fevers like Ebola. There have also been no reports of livestock deaths in the area thus making the Rift Valley Fever an unlikely cause. Blood samples have, however, been collected and are being tested to determine the causative agent. The results will be announced in three days time from today. Mr. Speaker, Sir, besides the laboratory analysis of specimen from the deceased women to determine the cause of the deaths, other actions the Ministry is pursuing to contain the disease include the following:- One, heighten disease surveillance in the Kuresoi area. The medical team present on the 4066 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES September 20, 2007 ground has been put on high alert with instructions to promptly report cases that present symptoms similar to those of the deceased women. This is meant to facilitate rapid response. Two, health facilities in Kuresoi have been stocked with adequate supplies of drugs to manage common diseases in the locality."
}