Swine flu could affect students’ performance

By Standard Team

Widespread cases of H1N1 flu in schools could affect students’ performance in the national examinations.

The caution by Education Minister Sam Ongeri came as more than 400 students in different schools were isolated and eight more swine flu cases confirmed.

And in Nairobi, secondary school head teachers resolved to suspend visitation and other functions to check the spread of the disease.

In Mbeere North District, 303 students at Siakago Girls Secondary School were isolated after they developed symptoms similar to those of the flu. The first group of 183 girls fell ill on Monday, and another 120 on Tuesday. At Otieno Oyoo Secondary School, Kisumu, 100 students were quarantined following a suspected outbreak.

In Kieni East District, 17 more students from Naru Moru Girls were quarantined yesterday, bringing the total of affected students at the institution to 27. Ten students from the school had already been confirmed to have swine flu.

In Nyahururu, two students of Ndururumo High School tested positive to the H1N1 virus, Central Provincial Public Health Officer George Ngatiri said.

Mbeere North Medical Officer of Health Stephen Kaniaru said specimen from the Siakago students had been taken for tests.

He said isolated students had fever, were vomiting and sneezing. "We expect to get the results tomorrow," he said yesterday.

Kisumu East DEO Rebecca Butalanyi said samples from 11 of the isolated students had been collected for lab tests.

"We have already sent the results to the Kemri/CDC influenza lab in Nairobi and we expect the outcome after 72 hours as required," said Kisumu East District Public Health Officer Naftali Bundi.

More suspected cases of swine flu were reported in Nakuru with 20 students of Morop Secondary School.

Tested positive

Nakuru District Medical Officer Kariuki Gichuki said the students showed signs of swine flu.

"Right now they are 20, but we are still sorting them out and the number may go up," he said.

Dr Gichuki added that the case was reported yesterday and tests to confirm if it was swine flu were yet to be done. He at the same time confirmed that three students from Kirobon High School had tested positive for the swine flu virus.

In Nairobi, the Provincial Director of Education Mary Omondi announced that although no school will be closed, stringent measures would be put in place to contain swine flu.

"We are asking teachers to be more vigilant and report any concerns to the health authorities," she said.

Omondi was speaking at a meeting for secondary school principals at State House Girls’ School.

The virus has so far been confirmed in 191 cases countrywide, with 132 reported in Nairobi.

Boarding schools were directed to isolate confirmed cases within the institutions while day school patients will be put under self-quarantine.

The meeting was held as it emerged that six more cases of swine flu were confirmed at Kabete Approved School.

Speaking at Riobara Secondary School in Gucha yesterday, Prof Ongeri blamed the media for blowing the issue out of proportion through publishing what he termed unconfirmed reports about the cases.

"Before cases are confirmed by experts, the media should avoid creating its own wave of the flu. Their reports are creating confusion, excitement and fear among students about to sit for exams," Ongeri said.

— Reports by Kepher Otieno, Kenan Miruka, Elizabeth Mwai, Francis Ngige, Anne Kanina and Stella Mwangi

 

 

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