At least 20 inmates at the Nyahururu GK Prison have tested positive for Tuberculosis (TB), the Laikipia County Health Service department has announced.
The cases were detected in a week-long screening exercise conducted at the facility by health officers.
While announcing the cases, County TB program coordinator Muriithi Wanjiku said at least 700 inmates were screened and more than 200 samples taken for further analysis.
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Health officials from the Nyahuru County Referral Hospital, who were part of the team conducting the screening, attributed the high number of TB cases in the facility to congestion.
In their recommendations, the medics said construction of an isolation facility would curb the spread of the disease.
Laikipia Governor pledged to ensure the recommendations by the officials including the construction of the isolation ward are prioritised.
How TB spreads
TB is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The disease can also affect other parts of your body, including the kidneys, spine or brain.
The bacteria that cause TB are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air through coughs and sneezes.
