Unite to break chain of coronavirus transmission

Coronavirus is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province. It has since spread globally through international travel, resulting in the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include muscle pain, sputum production, diarrhea and sore throat. Unlike the common cold or flu the symptoms like running nose are less common in Covid-19. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to pneumonia and multi-organ failure.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30 and a pandemic on March 11. Local transmission of the disease has been recorded in many countries across all six WHO regions, including Kenya.

The virus is mainly spread during close contact and via respiratory droplets produced when people cough or sneeze. People may also contract Covid-19 by touching contaminated surfaces and then their face. Kenya has 122 confirmed cases and over 1,500 contacts. Kenyans should follow the healthy hygienic practices to contain the spread of the disease. Recommended measures to prevent infection include:

1. Frequent hand washing with soap and water, or a 60 per cent alcohol based hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds.

2. Avoiding handshaking, hugging or kissing with people with flu-like symptoms.

3. Social distancing: Keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from people who have flu-like symptoms.

4. Covering your mouth and nose with your flexed elbow or tissue paper while coughing or sneezing; followed by hand wash.

5. The use of masks is recommended for those who suspect they have the virus and their caregivers.

6. Clean and disinfect frequently surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

7. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Urban populations are particularly at risk of viral respiratory infections due to population density and crowding at markets, public transport or places of worship. People living in slums are particularly at risk. As a result, handwashing becomes even more important. Government along with the NGOs should take some steps in combating this issue, including providing them with an adequate supply of running water.

Health professionals in Kenya can spread awareness about the disease and its spread, notify the suspected cases to the Government authorities as soon as possible and manage the suspected cases in isolation rooms as per the protocol. They should urge people with flu like symptoms to stay indoors and avoid crowded places/ public places, with the exception of hospital, if necessary.

Private hospitals can contribute positively in this pandemic by creating isolation beds in their hospitals, complementing the bed capacity of government hospitals. As Mediheal Group of Hospitals, we restricted our entry points to minimum. We started screening all visitors with gun thermometers and we kept a set of questionnaires at the screening tent to screen suspected cases. We have a hand wash facility and sanitisers. We have stringent infection prevention and control policies and we started training sessions for staff. We have isolation beds in our facilities.

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Covid-19. Management involves treatment of symptoms, supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures. If we follow all the healthy hygienic practices, the Government directives to avoid crowding and follow strictly the curfew hours; I think we can beat the virus and contain its spread by breaking the chain of transmission.

I urge fellow Kenyans not to panic; but to abide by the regulations Government is imposing. Be hopeful. Together we can and together we will.

- Dr Parag Patil is a consultant physician at Mediheal group of Hospitals. [email protected]/[email protected]