Wednesday, February 10, 2010

October 07, 2009 18:35 PM

At Least 21 A(H1N1) Flu Cases Confirmed In Kenyan Refugee Camps

NAIROBI, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has activated its emergency preparedness plan for A(H1N1) flu virus after 21 cases were confirmed in the two largest refugee camps in Kenya -- home to more than 320,000 people, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

IRC said in a statement issued in Nairobi that there have now been five confirmed cases in Kakuma camp, northwestern Kenya, and 16 cases in Hagadera, Dadaab -- one of the world's largest refugee camps, where overcrowding and lack of resources are already putting a strain on healthcare systems.

"The majority of people affected usually recover without antiviral treatment or specialised medical care, as they only experience a mild illness," IRC doctor Gitau Mburu said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Indeed, none of the infections in Kakuma or Dadaab are currently life-threatening and the majority of patients have already recovered," Mburu said.

As a precaution, IRC has secured doses of Tamiflu from the U.N. refugee agency in both Dadaab and Kakuma.

IRC has set up isolation wards at both its hospitals -- although there are currently no severe cases admitted -- and installed extra hand-washing points around health facilities.

"However, in congested refugee camps it's essential to strengthen surveillance, prevention and treatment measures to minimize the effects of the outbreak," Gitau said.

"With the current overcrowding in Dadaab in particular -- and the potential for contagious diseases to spread -- it is good practice to be prepared."

"IRC staff and refugee leaders have received a refresher training in the symptoms, management and prevention of A(H1N1)," said Gitau.

-- BERNAMA

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