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Kenya

Nairobi put on alert over dengue fever after Mombasa outbreak

The virus has affected more than 150 people in Kisauni, Jomvu, Changamwe, Nyali, Mvita and Likoni sub-counties/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya May 10 – Nairobi County has been put on high alert following the outbreak of dengue fever in the coastal region.

The virus has affected more than 150 people in Kisauni, Jomvu, Changamwe, Nyali, Mvita and Likoni sub-counties.

In an interview with Capital FM News, Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Health Bernard Muia said a team has been set up to respond to cases should they emerge.

“Given the human traffic between the two counties, Nairobi County is at risk. The onset of the rains too which have hit the country is creating new breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which are the vectors transmitting the virus to humans,” noted Dr Muia.

He explained that the awareness campaign will also sensitise the public on the preventive measures to take up to curb spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, in Mombasa, no deaths from the virus have been reported.

Chief Officer, County Department of Health Dr Khadija Shikelly assured that the county has put in place adequate measures to control the spread of the disease which is the leading cause of serious illness and deaths among children.

“Dengue fever has no treatment or vaccination but can be controlled by spraying stagnant water and clearing bushes around homes,” said Shikelly.

“Access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates to below one per cent.”

Symptoms of the dengue fever include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash.

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Mosquitoes which are the vectors transmitting the disease, also transmit Chikungunya, Yellow Fever and Zika, according to the World Health organization (WHO).

The hemorrhagic dengue fever is the severe type, which causes immediate death.

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