NGO denies causing Chikungunya in Mandera

A non-governmental organisation has denied causing an outbreak of Chikungunya virus in Mandera.
Mentor Initiative has denied introducing a certain species of mosquito in the county that causes the disease.

The NGO’s programme director Nfornuh Alenwi told a disease sensitisation workshop the NGO started working in Mandera in 2009 through the Ministry of Health for a malaria control unit.

“We came in to control the spread of malaria in 2009 and we are back to control spread of Chikungunya but never left behind a vector,” he said.

“We are a disease control agency focusing on malaria and other vector borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya but we don’t cause diseases,” said Mr Alenwi.

The director maintained that the NGO did not introduce Aedes aegypti, a Chikungunya-causing mosquito species as alleged by locals.

“There is no mosquito that feeds on other mosquitoes meaning that theory is false but this species was here only that it had not multiplied then,” he said, citing poor drainage and prevalence of environment for breeding of the Aedes aegypti.

The locals have since accused the NGO of introducing the species that causes Chikungunya and which bites during the day.

Mr Alenwi said currently the NGO is keen on working closely with Mandera government on controlling the spread of Chikungunya.

We are working closely with the Ministry of Health to put in place right strategies to control the problem,” he said.

PROVIDE SUPPLIES

He said the NGO will also train health workers on case management and further provide medical supplies in health facilities.

It will conduct environmental management campaigns to reduce breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Mandera Health Executive Ahmed Sheikh lauded the NGO’s work, adding that the area still needed more health support.
“Chikungunya situation has drastically reduced but the mosquitoes are still alive, generating fears that they might cause other diseases like Yellow Fever and Zika,” said Mr Sheikh.

He said the disease that was confirmed in May has affected more than 2,000 people with Mandera East, Rhamu, Elwak areas being the most affected.

“We asked Mentor to come back as they have prior experience of working within and their specialisation in vector control attracted as more,” said Mr Sheikh.

He termed allegations that Mentor Initiative introduced the Chikungunya-causing mosquito in Mandera as reckless and false.

“There are rumours in the recent months that Mentor are to blame for Chikungunya outbreak in Mandera. These rumours are false,” he said.

He appealed to the locals in Mandera to support the Ministry of Health and the non-governmental organisations in reducing the breeding sites of mosquitoes.

“We are at risk of contracting yellow fever and Zika if we don’t control this species of mosquito and continue with blame and this is why we have to cooperate,” he said.

He advised the locals to be wearing long sleeved clothing and long trousers when outdoors during the day and use insect repellents on any exposed skin.