The government, through the Ministry of Health, has dismissed reports of an alleged outbreak of a flu-like illness caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Kenya.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, while addressing Kenyans on Tuesday, January 7, clarified that the HMPV is not a new virus and that it has yet to be documented as a respiratory illness in the country.
According to CS Barasa, despite its absence in Kenya, the national public health surveillance system remains on high alert to contain any potential cases. "We are happy to confirm that currently, there is no reported increase in the expected number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms in our health facilities," the CS assured Kenyans.
Health CS Deborah Barasa Photo Ministry of Health The announcement comes amidst online reports highlighting an outbreak of the Metapneumovirus, a flu-like illness, in China in recent weeks.
