Nairobi County health officials deny Influenza, hepatitis outbreak

The Nairobi County Government has moved to avert worries of a potential outbreak of influenza and hepatitis A diseases in the city.

Speaking at City Hall on Monday, Nairobi County Health Executive Bernard Muia called on residents to observe high hygiene standards, consume clean and boiled water to avoid contracting the two diseases.

Muia further urged city residents to take preventive measures to avert an outbreak, with the county government pledging to drain stagnant water and treat drinking water to ensure the safety of residents.

The county executive has assured that the county government disease surveillance unit is on the lookout for signs of influenza or hepatitis A outbreaks.

City residents who experience symptoms that include high fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and diarrhoea and vomiting in children have been urged to seek urgent medical attention.

The Influenza outbreak has killed 39 children in Nakuru, with an outbreak of hepatitis A also being reported in Mombasa.

Last week, more than 282 suspected cases of influenza type A and B were reported in Nakuru County since its outbreak last month.

“According to surveillance information, influenza A and B have been a challenge in Kenya since 2009. This disease is spread through coughing and sneezing when droplets from an infected person land in the mouth of the other person,” Mungai Kabii, Nakuru CEC health said.

“In liaison with the national government, we are exploring the possibility of conducting a vaccination drive for children aged between 6 months and 5 years and all health workers,” Kabii said.

The county health boss also added that the county government together with the health officers from the national government have set up a disease surveillance system to detect and respond to new cases of the disease.