A strange disease has affected learning at Ihiga secondary school in Murang’a County after 60 students developed swellings on their limbs.
Their legs, hands and faces are swollen. Some of them though, have swollen tongues making it difficult for them to even talk.
Parents of the affected 60 students were at the school on Friday to pick them up.
Strange is the disease that it affects them when they are in school but when they are at home, they are perfectly okay health-wise.
“When the priests exorcise the demons, the swelling disappears for about one day but after a while the swelling comes back, we need serious prayers,” a teacher at the school told Daily Nation.
Lucy Kamau, a parent, said her daughter suffered the same symptoms last term but after laboratory tests, the cause of the symptoms all turned negative.
She noted that after two days, her daughter got well.
“When all the hospitals showed no signs of illnesses in the tests they conducted, I was shocked. Interestingly, she recovered after two days and could do all her homework.”
Public health officers have since quashed rumors that the students could be affected by water or food which they consume at school.
A medic at Aga Khan Hospital, Dr Eunice Kimani said the students could be suffering from Oedema which is characterized by swelling that occurs when there is excess fluid collection in body tissues.
Predisposing factors could include lifestyle, certain medication or medical condition
“Oedema mostly affects hands, arms, feet, legs and ankles. Identifying and treating the underlying condition is important in controlling it,” she said.
“More investigation should be done so as to determine the underlying cause to properly eradicate the swelling,” said Dr. Kimani.
Common causes of the condition, she added, include lupus, kidney and liver failure, certain medications, and pregnancy related conditions.
Murang’a County Director of Education Victoria Mulili said the school’s board will deliberate on the matter.
“We have advised the parents to pick their children as I prepare for a board of management meeting to chart the way forward,” she said.