US EditionRare bone-eroding disease ruining lives in Kenya's poorest county
- Mycetoma, a neglected fungal or bacterial infection, is ravaging Turkana, Kenya's poorest county, causing severe tissue and bone damage.
- The disease spreads through tiny open wounds like thorn pricks and disproportionately affects rural farmers and herders amid widespread poverty and limited healthcare.
- Treatment can take up to a year, costs as much as $2,000, includes dizzying side effects, and often is unaffordable, forcing patients to seek amputation as the only option.
- John Ekai, Lodwar Hospital's lab technician, treated over 100 patients last year with only five recoveries, while patients like Joyce Lokonyi and Jennifer Ekal face social stigma and uncertain futures.
- The disease's scale remains difficult to estimate due to ignorance and misdiagnosis, and lack of funding and research suggests mycetoma will continue devastating vulnerable communities.
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Rare bone-eroding disease ruining lives in Kenya's poorest county
Joyce Lokonyi sits on an upturned bucket, fingers weaving palm fronds as the wind pulls her dress to expose the stump of her amputated foot, lost to a little-known disease ravaging Kenya's poorest county.
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Total News Sources24
Leaning Left2Leaning Right5Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
15%
C 46%
R 38%
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