The Mombasa County government has raised an alarm over the outbreak of a dangerous Rotavirus that is causing severe diarrhea among children at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH).
The county’s governor, Abdulswamad Nasir, confirmed that after medics collected 75 samples from the hospital and tested them at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), three patients tested positive for the virus.
During a media briefing attended by public health officers, the governor announced that the county has implemented immediate measures to combat the virus.
These measures include the employment of 54 nurses who will be deployed to various hospitals and the provision of stipends to all Mombasa county community health volunteers (CHVs) until July 2023.
Nasir explained that the county has witnessed a recent rise in diarrhea among children below 18 years, and after conducting sample testing, it was established that there is a Rota Virus in Mombasa that is affecting children under 18 years.
In response to the outbreak, the governor launched a vaccination exercise for all children and tasked the Department of Public Health with conducting the exercise in all public hospitals.
The Mombasa County government’s efforts to address the outbreak of the Rotavirus demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding the health of its citizens.
The employment of additional nurses and the provision of stipends to CHVs are crucial steps in ensuring that the necessary healthcare personnel are available to address the outbreak.
Additionally, the launch of a vaccination exercise for all children is a commendable measure to curb the spread of the virus.
The county’s response to the outbreak underscores the importance of early detection, prompt action, and effective communication in mitigating the effects of such outbreaks.
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