This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
Published on May 18, 2020, a report by Nyakundi Report revealed that three children between the ages of five and eight had died of swine flu in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.
The victims presented with symptoms of fever, dry cough, running nose, and headache, but were not taken to hospital on time, according to Kiptagwany health centre in charge Veronicah Muthoni.
Ms Muthoni noted that two of the children had heart problems and other health complications that might have contributed to their deaths.
“The three died at home as it was assumed they were suffering from normal flu that affects minors,” said Muthoni.
Health reports indicate that the outbreak of the disease was reported in February and spilled over to March and April, with a total of 270 cases reported from February 10 to date.
Public health chief officer Samuel King’ori said the county opened an inpatient ward at Kiptangwany Health Centre to contain the spread of the disease, with four intern nurses and three clinicians deployed to the facility.
“Referrals for swine flu is discouraged because it might cause more contamination, and infect more people. This is why the 32-bed capacity ward was opened to handle affected children,” said King’ori.
He added that the cases have been contained, with only two or four reported daily, down from the initial 30 children treated at the hospital every day.
“We are happy that the number of cases reported have gone down, though monitoring is ongoing for further action,” said King’ori.
