Kenya takes precaution measures to fend off influenza A/H1N1

Source: Xinhua | 05-04-2009 16:13

by Zhou Yu

NAIROBI, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has taken precaution measures to fend off the influenza A/H1N1 which started in Mexico and has spread across the world, the east African country has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Beth Mugo, the Kenyan minister of public health and sanitation, said the current situation in the country is that there is no report yet of the killer virus in Kenya.

According to the latest figures from the governments, World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies, the number of confirmed sickened from the flu worldwide has stood at 938, with 506 in Mexico, 245 in the United States, 101 in Canada, 40 in Spain, 18 in Britain, eight in Germany. The remaining cases are scattered across Latin America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Africa has recorded no confirmed cases yet.

In Mexico, the origin of killed virus, at least 19 people have been killed by the disease.

"We, however, have take precaution to make sure that we can keep control of the situation," Mugo said.

"We have 26 stations in the country that are the surveillance. We have surveillance officers all over the country," the minister said.

"Ports of entry, like airports, seaports, and also areas of crossing, we are screening any visitors who are coming from the countries which are said to have reported this flu, like Mexico, the United States, Canada and parts of Europe."