Mumps outbreak reported in Kenyan schools across Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
The Nairobi County government of Kenya has issued a public-health alert over a possible mumps outbreak in schools.
Parents and guardians have therefore been advised to keep all the children that are showing symptoms of the infection at home until they have fully recovered.
The alert highlights the need for increased vigilance among parents, teachers and school administrators to help limit potential transmission and protect learners from further spread of the disease.
Mumps is an infection that causes painful swelling around jaws and necks when it infects a person’s salivary glands.
It is a contagious disease caused by a virus that passes from one person to another through saliva, nasal secretions, and close personal contact.
The condition primarily affects the salivary glands, also called the parotid glands
Medical experts say severe complications are rare but they sometimes include brain swelling (encephalitis).
Residents of Nairobi have therefore asked to closely monitor their children for symptoms associated with mumps and seek medical assessment if signs of infection develop.
This new health concern arises just a few days after it was reported that Ebola had reached Nairobi, through a traveler who had just landed in the city from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The victim, who entered through Uganda, died in Kenya shortly after arriving in the country.
In another development, eight children in Kenya were recently rescued after being discovered under serious conditions during what is being reported as forced Fasting in the coastal town of Malindi.
The eight victims are said to be children aged between 6 and 14 years, who were denied food and water, allegedly under some crackpot religious beliefs.
They were recently rescued from the homestead of one Anastacia Mumwele, the mother of controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie, who lives in Furunzi, Malindi, within the Kilifi County.
According to reports, a team of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) raided the homestead and rescued the children, who were allegedly being denied food and prevented from attending school.
And as it happens, five of the victimized children rescued from dire straits are believed to be Mackenzie’s children. Mumwele, the suspected lady behind the children’s starvation, was arrested during the operation.
The rescue comes amid continuing investigations and court proceedings surrounding teachings associated with Preacher Mackenzie.
Earlier court proceedings have also heard allegations that children linked to his movement were withdrawn from school and subjected to prolonged fasting.