News
Alert over Kenya's first case of H1N1 flu
Minister for Public Health and Sanitation Beth Mugo addresses the media in Nairobi. PHOTO/FILE
Posted Monday, June 29 2009 at 15:19
Preventive measures
On Monday, she urged people who exhibit flu like illness to seek immediate medical care especially those with other chronic diseases.
“As of now, the most effective preventive measures are good hygiene practices which should include frequent washing of hands with soap, covering mouth and nose with disposable tissue, avoiding touching of eyes, nose and mouth...
“We further advice the public to avoid close contact with confirmed cases,”.
The minister urged all health workers and members of the public to remain vigilant and provide any information on the following telephone numbers: National Surveillance Unit 0722 331 548; 020 204 0542 and 2718292 e-mail dcdc@health.go.ke or idsr@health.go.ke; NIC-Kemri laboratory: 0736 155 251; 0733 616 602 and 0722 675 335 or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport 0721 562 511.
Last week, the World Health Organisation was expected to declare a global influenza pandemic after a spike in H1N1 cases in Australia.
Five people had been admitted to intensive care and 1,263 cases of “swine flu” recorded in Australia.
Australian authorities later defended their handling of the flu virus, saying the high number of cases was a result of widespread testing.
“We have tested 5,500 people in the last two weeks, that is more people than we test in our whole (normal) influenza season,” said Victorian state premier John Brumby.
“Elsewhere around the world, in the US and Canada, they are only testing the most serious cases,” said Mr Brumby.
There have been 27,737 cases reported in 74 countries to date, including 141 deaths, according to the WHO’s latest tally.
Confirmed community spread in a second region beyond North America would trigger moving to phase 6 -- signifying a full-blown pandemic -- from the current phase 5 on the WHO’s 6-level pandemic alert scale.
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Submitted by g-loPosted June 30, 2009 03:22 PM
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Submitted by gthang95
Well, based on track record, Kenya has proved to be completely and totally incapable of handling ANY scenario that poses a threat to the citizens. Observe Nyama Kima biulding, emergency help had to come from Israel!!if its here, fellow kenyans, we are doomed! Zero ability is our governance rating on distaster management.
Posted June 30, 2009 10:10 AM -
Submitted by enidm32
“Swine flu is a relatively mild illness in areas affected, and therefore there should be no cause for panic... 'mmmmmhhh...Is this a statement to believe in as true?? Why then the panic whenever the Swine flu is mentioned the world over? We do not want to panic but some truth will greatly go a long way in ensuring those with flu-like symptoms actually seek medical care.
Posted June 30, 2009 09:30 AM -
Submitted by chelogoi
How can we believe the minister when she lied to us earlier that the lady had tested negative for H1N1, ladies and gentlemen fellow Kenyans there is every reason to panic, avoid social places as we know the country is ill prepared to handle this. May God have mercy on us.
Posted June 30, 2009 09:17 AM -
Submitted by mulosh
I entered the country 2 weeks ago and at JKIA, we were given form concerning swine flu, but no one turned up to collect them, some people went with them, and others just threw them at the various tables, and the ministry says its prepared: complete rubbish.
Posted June 30, 2009 09:14 AM
RSS
As you guys panic about swine flu, parents in UK are throwing swine flu parties with the hope that their children will catch the disease now and build up immunity. Family website mumsnet.com has witnessed discussions over whether parents should take steps to ensure their children acquire immunity before the main flu season in the winter, when some people expect the virus to be more potent.