This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
The Ministry of Health has closed Starehe Girls Centre for four days after ruling out a disease infection that saw the institution affected.
According to a statement from the Ministry, two tests concluded that the students were suffering from mass psychogenic illness (MPI), also known as mass hysteria.
On September 28, the Ministry of Health was notified by the school administration of students presenting with an unusual cough, which started with 12 girls complaining of cough, sneezing, and throat soreness.
On examination, the girls were found to have no fever and were in stable condition, with no teaching staff or support staff affected.
The team collected specimens that were tested for various viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens at the National Public Health Laboratories, with laboratory results indicating that no significant viruses or bacteria were identified except for two cases of rhinovirus.
However, on October 2, the number of affected girls rose to 68, prompting the Ministry to dispatch another team.
On Thursday, Nairobi Regional Director of Education Jared Obiero chaired a meeting that resolved to close the school, which will reopen on Monday, October 7 for their exams that begin on Tuesday.
