Watch out for animal-to-human infection

Kenya’s public health sector is on the radar once again, this time reassuring Kenyans that the fatal Ebola outbreak in West Africa, won’t strike here. No persons less than the Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni, have come out strongly to defend Kenya’s preparedness to tackle the Ebola virus.

Mr Macharia says all entry points are properly manned and public health officials can identify anyone with the virus and isolate them to prevent an outbreak. Mr Naikuni says KQ is doing due diligence to ensure no one with the virus boards their aircraft. That is all too well.

Kenyans will for now believe the two gentlemen and the Government on the outbreak that has ravaged Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. But, wait a minute, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has just identified Kenya as a high risk area of the Ebola spread. Reports also indicate Korean Airline has suspended flights to Kenya over fears of Ebola infections. Could we be tempting fate on a disease that has no known cure and over 90 per cent of those infected end up dying?

And before you digest that, a group of researchers looking for the Ebola virus in Kenya, has stumbled upon 42 bat-species carrying viruses that cause measles, mumps, rabies and acute respiratory infections. There are over 108 bat species in Kenya and according to a report carried elsewhere in this newspaper, the mammals, spread across Kenya, carry inactive viruses that may also cause diarrhoeal diseases, conjuctivitis and bladder infection.

With rising human density, deforestation and proximity to wildlife habitats, Kenyans are increasingly interacting with wild animals. This is a recipe for disaster, especially among communities with little or no knowledge on animal-to- human diseases. For instance, in Mt Suswa, locals hunt for bat droppings to make fertiliser. This routinely exposes them to the viruses found in bats.

Bats are mostly found in national parks, caves, under bridges, abandoned buildings and some trees. The worry is, how many Kenyans know unguarded interaction with wild animals could precipitate a serious public health disaster? When two foreigners died of Marburg haemorrhagic virus, a close relative to Ebola, after visiting Kitum caves in Mt Elgon, American and Kenyan researchers launched an intense study on bats found in the area. Were residents adequately informed of the danger lurking in their backyard?

Public health information has been found wanting on many occasions and the Health Ministry must step up the game.

It is unacceptable to have Kenyans dying or suffering from preventable diseases spread through contaminated water or food. Kenyans, especially in slum and poor rural areas continue contracting diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea simply because they do not know the importance of washing hands after visiting the toilet or before eating, and cleaning their fruits and vegetables. Some do not know that uncooked food can also cause illness. Information is vital and public health officials must never relent on disseminating the same.

Meanwhile, all Kenyans must guard against the entry of Ebola and other infectious diseases into the country. Those entering the country at all border points must be carefully screened.

Should suspicious individuals be found sick, it is the responsibility of everyone to inform the nearest health officials. Taking hygienic measures such as washing hands with soap should also become everyone’s habit. Prevention is better than cure and the health of your neighbour is as paramount as yours. Kenyans must learn to be responsible individuals to guard against an Ebola outbreak.

However, spreading panic and rumours about Ebola is not part of taking caution. No one should spread fear, even as we all call for proper and tight screening and preparedness of our authorities to handle any eventuality. Suspected cases should only be reported to and handled by well informed health officials. Let’s keep safe!