This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
On October 5, 2019, the Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that a mysterious outbreak at Starehe Girls Centre was caused by mass psychogenic illness, also known as mass hysteria.
The outbreak, which saw 68 students quarantined, was initially thought to be an unknown disease. However, after conducting tests, the MOH found no significant viruses or bacteria, except for two cases of rhinovirus, which is a common cause of the common cold.
Given the exclusion of an infectious cause and the rapidly increasing number of affected students, the MOH dispatched a second team of specialists to conduct a psychological assessment of the affected students.
“The second team drew a conclusion of mass psychogenic illness (MPI) also called mass hysteria,” read the statement from the MOH.
As a result, the ministry, in consultation with the school's administration and the Ministry of Education, decided to remove the girls from the school environment and allow them to go home for a few days. Further, individual psychological evaluation of the affected students is being undertaken to understand the trigger of the occurrence as well as group therapy for the students, staff, and caregivers.
