KENYA : Some residents of Mukuku village in Makueni County who came into contact with a strange metallic object that fell from the sky are complaining of severe headaches, itchiness and fever.
The metallic object fell from the skies and landed in Mukuku Village, on December 30, 2024, at around 1500hrs.
Richard Musyoka, who was among the people who visited the scene has revealed that he started feeling unwell three days after the incident.
“I am one of the people who went to see the object that fell here in Mukuku. The object was on fire when we got there,” Musyoka said.
He explained that he tried taking pictures and sending them to people.
Musyoka said the intense fire was heating his body parts including my face, but he didn’t feel any immediate effect.
However, he started feeling a strong headache three days after the incident.
He took a lot of water, thinking it was something normal, but the headache persisted.
“I resorted to using painkillers, but nothing changed. The headache was unlike anything I had experienced before, so I started drinking Piriton, thinking it might help,” he said.
The pain intensified on Sunday, January 5 and he decided to take two Piritons because one wasn’t working.
When he woke up the next day, he felt pain all over my body.
“It felt like the fire at the scene of the object had started affecting my health,” Musyoka stated.
“I went to the hospital and explained my symptoms. I was given some ointments to apply to my body, but I still feel like my body is burning.”
He urged the government to send doctors to test locals and find out what exactly is affecting those who visited the scene.
“Let’s leave compensation for now—our health is more important,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Health has announced that it is monitoring reports over the possible outbreak of flu-like illness caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
In a statement dated Tuesday, January 7, the Ministry confirmed that the symptoms had already been witnessed in some patients in hospitals.
However, it was noted that the numbers recorded so far were minimal.
On the other hand, the Ministry allayed fears over the virus adding that the virus was not new.
" The Ministry of Health is following up on reports of alleged outbreaks of a flu-like illness caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). We wish to assure the general public that HMPV is not a new virus, and has been documented as a circulating pathogen contributing to respiratory illnesses in Kenya," read the statement in part.
"The national public health surveillance system is on high alert, and we are happy to confirm that currently, there is no reported increase in the expected number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms in our health facilities."
On the other hand, Kenyans were advised to maintain high levels of hygiene to prevent the potential spread of the illness.
Those with flu-like symptoms were also encouraged to seek medical attention from the nearest health facilities.
"We request members of the public to remain vigilant, and continue observing public health practices such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette as promoted through the Epuka Uchafu Afya Nyumbani initiative," read the statement in part.
"Any unusual cases of severe respiratory illness are advised to seek medical assistance from the nearest health facility as soon as possible. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. For inquiries, please call 719."
