More students isolated over swine flu

By James Munyeki, Job Weru and Vitalis Kimutai

Twelve students at a school in Nyahururu were quarantined with symptoms of swine flu.

The students of Ndururumo High School developed flu-like symptoms on Sunday. Yesterday, they were treated and samples taken for tests.

Nyandarua Medical Officer of Health Robert Ngunjiri said the precaution was taken to avoid a spread of the disease, as they waited for results of the samples taken to Nairobi.

"We cannot confirm if they are suffering from the disease since the results are yet to be released. All we are asking residents is to take precaution," Dr Ngunjiri said.

Efforts to talk to the school administration were futile as the deputy Principal Jane Kariuki said she could not comment on the issue.

Central Provincial Public Health Officer George Ngatiri said results for two suspected cases in two primary schools were yet to be released.

However, medical authorities were monitoring students at Nyeri’s Naru Moru Girls, where ten students were quarantined after tests confirmed they had the H1N1 virus.

Dr Ngatiri, however, said the students had improved. He advised residents not to panic as the Government has enough drugs.

Students safe

Elsewhere, at Ndarawetta Girls High School in Bomet District, tests indicated the sick students had not contracted the swine flu.

Doctors said the students suffered from common flu. Dr Philip Ngere released the results after 141 of 412 students were screened last Monday.

He led a team of 13 health officers, including Longisa District Hospital Medical Superintendent Isaac Birech and Public Health Officer Henry Ochiel in screening the students.

"We wish to announce the symptoms the students have do not match those of H1N1 flu and as such there is no need for panic," Ngere said.

He said cold weather might have aggravated the situation.

"Swine flu is characterised by a fever that supersedes 38_C, which has not been found in any of the students," Ngere said.

He said it will take four days to get results on samples sent to Kemri.

The school Principal Martha Keter called in the officers after 90 students complained of fever, headache and sneezing.

The school sent some students home when the situation worsened.

The school was also found to have employed unqualified staff as a nurse and failed to involve the Ministry of Health in the recruitment.

Dr Ochiel said it was shocking that the "nurse" had been administering drugs the Government banned some years ago for treating malaria.

He also compalined that the dormitories were congested, with students sharing beds and bedding.

 

 

Read all about: H1N1 virus

 

 

|   |    |   Add Comment |    Comments (0)

---