MoH warns of another outbreak of a deadly disease
The Ministry of Health has issued a cautionary alert over a suspected viral conjunctivitis outbreak in Mombasa county.
In a statement Thursday evening, the Ministry noted that there was an upsurge of possible viral conjunctivitis cases in the coastal county and urged locals to exercise caution, amid ongoing tests lab investigations to ascertain its cause.The cases are very contagious and are presenting with red eyes, eye swelling, eye discharge, and itchiness,” warned the Ministry
MoH warns of another outbreak of a deadly disease
According to the Ministry, conjunctivitis can be caused by infections and chemicals.
Kenyans have been asked to take preventive measures such as washing hands, using sanitizers, maintaining hygiene and to seek prompt treatment and self-isolate if symptomatic.
In another story, the British army in Kenya has reported a diarrhoea outbreak in Nanyuki camp that lasted three months.
At least 172 people were affected by the outbreak.
The outbreak is the largest ever reported by the army globally.It was partly traced to contaminated fresh water, collected from rivers, where the trainees swam in Nanyuki.
“All freshwater activity recreational sites were found to have evidence of faecal coliforms (bacteria),” the army said in a research paper.
Some of the germs could also have been picked from local restaurants.
Importantly, the army said it identified a subtype of a diarrhoea-causing parasite previously only found in farmed monkeys in China.
Cryptosporidiosis is an infection that causes diarrhoea. It is caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. Most people get the parasite after swallowing food or water tainted with stool. This includes swallowing water while swimming.
This parasite is known to circulate in both human and domesticated animal hosts in Kenya and has previously been reported in Nakuru. But this is the first time its monkey subtype is being reported in Kenya.
MoH warns of another outbreak of a deadly disease
