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Kitum Cave: Story of a Cave in Mount Elgon National Park that Harbours Deadly Virus

  File image of the entrance of Kitum cave Kitum Cave, situated in Mount Elgon National Park in Kenya, gained notoriety after two visitors contracted the deadly Marburg virus and subsequently died.  Research indicates that the virus thrives in caves and mines where animals like Rousettus colony bats leave traces of their presence.  Humans exposed to such environments for extended periods may contract the virus, as was the case with the French nationals—a man who died in 1980 and a boy in 1987—shortly after visiting Kitum Cave. These two deaths prompted investigations, including a visit from the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) to ascertain the cause of the fatalities.  Surprisingly, the research did not find any signs of the Marburg virus at the time, leading to a discrepancy with earlier reports attributing the deaths to the virus. Despite these mixed findings, Kitum Cave remains one of the most dangerous caves worldwide...

The Details of the Taita People

  Image via Unsplash The Taita people are an integral part of the broader Bantu ethnic group, actively contributing to Kenya's diverse cultural landscape.  They belong specifically to the Coastal Bantu subgroup and trace their ancestral roots to Taita-Taveta County, located in the southeastern part of the country.  Want to know more of the Taita people? Keep reading! Read Also: The Details of the Nandi People that You Should Know Family Structure In the traditional Taita society, the family served as the fundamental social unit, akin to many other African communities.  Family units were typically extended and resided together in homesteads. The patriarch, usually the father, held the authoritative position within the family.  In his absence, the eldest son would assume responsibility for managing the family affairs. Each wife within the family had her own separate living quarters where she resided with her children, while the husband had his own designated hut....