Business Daily (Nairobi)
9 July 2009
When Mexico -- the first country where the swine flu was detected --sneezed, Kenyan health officials were quick to point out that the country could not catch the disease.
But the last two weeks have seen the same Government mandarins scour for all manner of response strategies following the confirmation of close to 20 cases of the deadly flu in the country.
The country has now been pushed out of its comfort zone as the ripple effects began to hit home in what has placed Kenya among African countries with the highest number of confirmed cases.
At least 12 UK students who were in the country last week tested positive for the flu.
Fears abound that the H1N1 (swine flu), could spread further, as it has now been detected in Kisumu, Nairobi and Garissa, throwing the country's healthcare systems into a spin.
For Kenyan employers, its has been a time to rearrange their expenditure plans to scale up their disaster preparedness systems following the outbreak of the flu.
While health officials are hailing the government's initiatives in fighting the flu, armed with at least 50,000 doses of Tamiflu, the main drug used to cure the disease, business players and independent health experts hold a different view.
They reckon Kenya is sitting on a time bomb and the disease could spread further with devastating impact. The country has a poor emergency preparedness record.
Business Daily sought their views on whether Kenya is well prepared for the outbreak and the impact the detection of the cases has had on their lives and businesses
Mark Gathuri, General Manager, Nairobi Serena Hotel
"Being in the tourism industry where we deal with so many foreigners, we are very exposed to the flu. However, as a hotel we can do little.
It's for the government to up its game in both surveillance and curbing further spread of the flu, which could have devastating effects on the industry and the economy at large.
What we have done as a hotel is sensitise our employees on safety precautions. Again, each time we receive new guests we tell them what they need to do to remain safe.
Kenya is prone to swine flu just as any other country and as such, the government needs to put more effort in the screening procedure, not only at the airports but also at the borders.
This way, all entry points will be well monitored.
I feel that the government also needs to be more strict on communicable diseases.
If there is an outbreak of a communicable disease then it should ensure that people coming in and going out of the country have certificates of good health.
James Taylor Managing Director, Farmers' Choice Limited
"Initially, there was a misconception that this was swine flu whereas its appropriately H1N1 virus which can only be transmitted from human to human and not through pork consumption.
We immediately communicated to our customers the facts relating to swine flu.
After the first case was reported, we received numerous queries from our international customers and from pig farmers, but immediate communication highlighting the facts about the swine flu outbreak offered comfort to both farmer and customer.
It has been business as usual for us. I believe the country has handled this outbreak in a totally professional manner .
Beth Mugo, Minister for Public Health and Sanitation
"Swine flu is a relatively mild illness, therefore there is no need to panic. The State is doing everything to curb the further spread of the influenza. The ministry and its partners have already put in place appropriate preventative measures.
These includes the roll-out of a comprehensive communication campaign to sensitise Kenyans on the issue as well as ensuring that adequate resources have been pooled to monitor and track any cases in the country.
Healthcare providers have been given hotlines which they can use to liaise with the ministry for uniformity of service provision.
I urge all Kenyans to uphold high standards of hygiene at this time, including washing their hands frequently and exercising care when they sneeze or cough. They should also avoid contact with all confirmed cases of swine flu, as well as seek medical advice if they have flu symptoms.
Jonathan Ciano, Receiver Manager, Uchumi Supermarkets
"As a supermarket we have taken steps to ensure our shopping malls are well aerated to minimise chances of infection and offer comfort to our customers.
Being a highly contagious airborne disease, the best way to tackle swine flu fever is to create awareness of its existence and emphasise the need to observe basic hygiene at all times.
But in case the disease becomes a pandemic locally, then the best way to tackle it would be by adopting a collective response as businesses and individuals and complying with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and other emergency relief agencies such as the Red Cross.
It would also be important at such a time for individuals to avoid crowded places like cinema halls which may not have adequate aeration.
Joseph Atonga Chief Operations Officer, Kenya Ports Authority
"We have stepped up surveillance of foreigners at all major airports and sea ports on a 24/7 basis and there is a high alert on all entry points.
We are working round the clock jointly with shipping lines and the port health department of the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation to screen all passengers and crew on international journeys.
They have to fill in a surveillance form that requires details of health status, symptoms like fever or hotness of the body in the last two weeks, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, chest pains and shortness of breath.
It must be filled in by all people with the symptoms or who have travelled from a country where swine flue has been confirmed.
Thorough checks are conducted before they disembark from the ships and those suspected are referred to the Port's health desk where they are sent to the influenza centre at the Coast Provincial general hospital.
Cases of swine flu take seven days before full incubation.
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