Nakuru records 282 cases of Influenza type A and B

More than 282 suspected cases of Influenza type A and B have been reported in Nakuru County since its outbreak last month.

According to the County Executive Committee member for heath Mungai Kabii, preliminary results from Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) indicate a possible Influenza type A and B outbreak which can be mild, moderate or severe.

In a statement, Kabii, however, declined to disclose the number of deaths reported in the outbreak that has been reported in Nakuru North, Nakuru East and Nakuru West sub-counties since March.

“We have conducted post-mortem and samples have been sent to Kemri for tests,” Kabii said.

Kabii added that  the county has now set up an isolation ward at the Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru to handle cases of the outbreak and is in the process of setting up isolation wards in other hospitals across the county.

He added that 39 cases have been admitted at the PGH-Nakuru isolation ward where they are receiving treatment.

“In liaison with the national government, we are exploring the possibility of conducting vaccination drive for children between six months and five years and all health workers,” Kabii announced.

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

Kabii said hospital facilities in the county last month noted  increased cases of a flu-like illness which affected children of below five years.

According to Kabii, the children had high fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and sometime diarrhoea and vomiting.

“According to the surveillance information, Influenza A and B has been a challenge since 2009 in Kenya. This disease is spread through coughing, sneezing and droplet land in the mouth or the other person,” Kabii added.

He added that more samples have been taken to Kemri and National Public Health lab for further investigation and confirmation.

The health CEC has further advised mothers and caregivers to report to nearest health facilities children who exhibit the symptoms.