Moi High School Mbiruri faces temporary shutdown over Hepatitis A

Over 1000 students from Moi High School Mbiruri in Embu County could be sent home on Friday after some were found to be suffering from Hepatitis A.

Confirming the incident, Embu County Education officer James Kiaru said that the situation had been contained but the ‘health-break’ will help establish the cause.

Health officials in the area suspect that the students could have consumed contaminated food or water.

Embu County Health CEC Joan Mwende, who was at the school, requested that all students report back with a full medical report from a recognised  health facility.

10 students who were affected were admitted to the Embu Children’s Hospital Tenri while 24 others were taken to Embu Childrens Hospital.

According to the World Health Organization, Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

“The virus is primarily spread when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person,” WHO says.