The Bungoma County Government has teamed up with a health-focused organization to tackle the growing number of Bilharzia cases in the region.

According to County Sanitation Officer Micah Nyairo, the partnership has contributed to a drop in infections across local villages, largely due to the free distribution of deworming medication to both school children and the wider community.

In addition to drug distribution, the Africa Institute for Health Development (AIHD), which is working closely with the county, has been leading hygiene awareness campaigns aimed at improving public health practices.

“Our main hurdle in curbing the spread of Bilharzia and intestinal worms has been poor sanitation,” Nyairo noted.

“We’ve been actively engaging communities on the importance of clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices.”

Nyairo urged Bungoma residents to fully embrace the ongoing mass distribution of deworming medication, stressing the serious consequences of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like Bilharzia.

He noted that once infected, individuals often become too weak to work or attend school, leading to reduced productivity and lower school attendance rates.

Despite the interventions, the county continues to record a high number of bilharzia cases, mainly due to poor sanitation.

Nyairo pointed out that low pit latrine coverage has led to continued open defecation in some villages, further spreading the disease.

“Some residents are still using bushes and water sources as toilets, which poses a major health risk. We urge communities to construct more pit latrines,” he said.

Currently, Bungoma’s pit latrine coverage stands at 86.6 per cent still below the 100 per cent target needed to effectively control NTDs.

Nyairo emphasized that the remaining gap is a key driver of Bilharzia transmission.

He further explained that NTDs are a group of infections caused by various pathogens ranging from viruses and bacteria to parasites and toxins with devastating health, social, and economic effects, especially in under-resourced areas.

According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people globally are affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with 1.4 billion requiring preventive or therapeutic care.

These diseases are often linked to poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and contact with contaminated environments.

In Bungoma, County Sanitation Officer Micah Nyairo reiterated that open defecation remains a major contributor to the spread of NTDs. “A functional latrine in every household is not just about dignity it’s a public health necessity,” he said.

Nyairo added that many residents continue to use rivers for bathing and domestic chores, increasing the risk of transmission through shared water sources.

Currently, only 7 out of Bungoma’s 45 wards have reached a latrine coverage rate of 97 per cent the threshold for being declared open defecation free (ODF).

Meanwhile, Dr Dickens Lubanga, a pediatrician at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, urged the public to support deworming efforts amid rising cases of parasitic infections and iron deficiency anaemia, especially in children.

“We’re seeing an alarming number of children with complications from heavy worm loads. These are preventable conditions if we prioritize deworming,” he said.

Dr Lubanga advised parents to deworm children every three months and adults at least twice a year.

He emphasized the critical role of hygiene in disease prevention, particularly handwashing with soap and running water after toilet use, given that many parasites are transmitted via the oral-faecal route.

He also cautioned residents against contact with stagnant water, a known breeding ground for bilharzia, adding that simple hygiene habits can significantly curb the spread of infections.

To tackle the rising burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Bungoma County has announced a mass deworming campaign set for June 23 to 27, 2025.

The exercise will target both schools and households and will be spearheaded by Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

“We are calling on all residents to fully cooperate and participate in the campaign,” said Robert Wetoto, the county’s NTDs Coordinator.