School visits banned to stop swine flu

By Peter Atsiaya

The Government has banned student exchange visits to schools hit by the H1N1 Flu in Nyanza Province.

Public Health Assistant Minister James Gesami said students from schools where the disease has been reported should not visit other institutions.

"We have directed schools to stop students interactions because it contributes to the spread of the disease," Dr Gesemi told the Press in Kisumu, yesterday.

Nyanza Disease Surveillance Co-ordinator Elly Nyambok accompanied Gesami.

He explained that 45 cases of swine flu had been reported in the province, with Kisii being hardest hit.

Dr Gesami noted that Manga and Masaba secondary schools in Kisii reported 16 cases.

"Ng’iya Girls had nine cases while seven others have been detected in Kisumu East District," said the West Mugirango MP.

He added that the Government had controlled the situation and there was no cause of alarm.

He said the Government was effective in dealing with swine flu cases at Kenya High School.

"Students and parents should not panic, especially when they are preparing to sit their national examinations. We have dealt with the situation," he said.

The Assistant Minister said nobody had died of the disease and expressed fear the region might be hit by cholera following heavy rains.

Gesami said there were adequate measures in place to avert a cholera outbreak in the province.

The flu has been reported in schools countrywide. Last week, the Ministry of Education banned visits in Nairobi schools after the disease was confirmed in several institutions. But Education minister Sam Ongeri has assured that the Government would ensure the flu does not affect the national examinations.

 

 

Read all about: H1N1 Flu

 

 

---