A Kemri Survey Confirms Influenza-A Outbreak in the Country
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- December 16, 2021
A survey conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the Centre for Global Health Research in Kisumu has revealed the outbreak of flu among school children and the general population.
The survey was done between September and November and now, Kemri has confirmed that there is an outbreak of Influenza A.
Kisumu County Director of Public Health Fredrick Oluoch stated that out of 36 samples, 4 tested positive for Influenza A while a few others showed mild symptoms of the virus.
“Last month we had a high number of schoolchildren presenting with flu and high fevers, and sore throats. We really wanted to understand what this was all about,” he said.
This prompted the county to contact Kemri and asked them to conduct a survey to establish whether it was a Covid-19 surge or just the flu.
The samples were collected from schoolchildren between the age of 3 and 14.
The four positive cases were from Ahero, Muhoroni, Kisumu Central and Siaya County.
“This means that the virus has been circulating in the population and children could be spreading it to adults,” Oluoch said.
The survey findings were supported by paediatricians, who said they have seen an increase in the number of children with the same symptoms.
Dr Walter Otieno, a leading paediatrician, said he sees about 20 children with coughs, sneezing, sore throat and high fever who need to be admitted to the hospital. Last week alone, he admitted about four children.
“Though it is also common in adults, it is more severe in children and I am worried that this is becoming severe,” Dr Otieno said.
The Government has advised Kenyans to adhere to the Ministry of Health Covid-19 protocols to protect themselves.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe appealed to Kenyans not to go into panic-stricken mode.
“We must observe the civility of the flu, the hospitalization, and whether there are fatalities. So far, the statistics that we have should not cause any panic,” Kagwe appealed.
