Dr. Ouma Oluga On The State Of Coronavirus In Kenya

Fear and panic continue to grip the world following the wildfire spread of the deadly nCOVID-19.

The number of people killed worldwide by the coronavirus has exceeded 3,000, as China reported 42 more deaths.

More than 90% of the total deaths are in Hubei, the Chinese province where the virus emerged late last year.

But there have also been deaths in 10 other countries, including more than 50 in Iran and more than 30 in Italy.

Worldwide, there have been almost 90,000 confirmed cases, with the numbers outside China growing faster than inside China.

Several suspicious cases have been reported in Kenya and so far they’ve all turned out negative. Recent case of 239 passengers who traveled to Kenya from China, the epicenter of the virus has further thrown people into intense panic.

While the government insists they’re well prepared to tackle the virus should it be reported, facts in ground paints a different picture given how ill equipped the system is. Professionals in the health sector have called this out saying the country is not prepared to handle the explosion.

Dr. Ouma Oluga, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Sec General has said that few health care workers have been trained on coronavirus preparedness at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

He dived into the debate and answered to the critical questions and crucial answers that the public needed to know:

Q. All manner of claims are being made as to what can stop the virus. Is it true that temperatures in the tropics are not conducive for the virus?

A. There is a case in Nigeria and soke cases in Egypt. These falls within the tropics.

The virus survives in the human body. Science will tell us more about its relation with climate and environment.

Q. Is Kenya really prepared with this corona virus? What is the fate of those students stuck in china while we are allowing chinese to enter in Kenya?

A. We should prepare. So far I do not think that we are really prepared.

The Government needs to constantly and consistently reassure as well as inform Kenyans on what they need to do.

Q. We hear the term self-quarantine. What does that mean and can it work?

A.

Self-Quarantine is not measurable and it is difficult to enforce.

Even though many countries may recommend it, it only succeeds in systems where tracing of person at low risk is perfect.

It is only recommended among highly informed and perhaps homogeneous groups. Not very easy.

Q. What is KEMRI doing? Are you aware of any research ongoing on a potential vaccine, or even treatment?

A. We can only research on what we do.

KEMRI can help us with documenting experiences, education and learning from countries that already have coronavirus.

They can also use this opportunity to develop testing capabilities so that we do not have to send samples to South Africa.

Q. Why did Kenya have to take tests to South Africa for confirmatory?Does it mean we don’t trust our capability?

A. The Coronavirus is a new. That is why it is called novel Coronavirus disease 2019 aka nCOVID 1.

So development of capacity depended on how quickly information was shared and how the available technology can support testing. We did not have capacity.

Q. What are the measures would you advise one to take individually to prepare for #COVID19?

A. Hygiene measures.

Wash hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water regularly.

Practice cough and sneeze hygiene.

Stay away from persons who are sick unless you are the care giver in which case use protective gears.

And use hotline numbers when you think you need help.

Q. We are beginning to get into the usual flu season. How can one distingush between the regular sniffles and the corona virus?

A. It will be difficult to distinguish the two based on symptoms alone.

Only clue is travel or contact history.

Then we use the lab to confirm.

We should not panic. We should simply prepare at an individual and community level.

Q. What would preparedness for a possible outbreak of the pandemic mean in practical, measurable terms?

A. Preparedness for the pandemic.

1. Education

2. Separate Isolation facilities for quarantine of low risk persons and isolation of affected persons.

3. Tracing of caregivers, persons in contact with affected & travellers from epicentre.

3. Protective measures for health workers

Q. So compared to the CFR of Ebola Zaire strain that went over the roof, why the hype about this COVID-19? What is it that the public is not being told?

A. It is still possible that if Coronavirus got itself to Africa, we can have case fatality rates of 50%.

Remember Ebola had very low fatality in the USA compared to Zaire and Congo.

It all depends on the resilience and responsiveness of the healthcare system.

Getting Your Workplace ready for COVID – 19.
Guidelines from @WHO @AnneKiguta @K24Tv

https://t.co/Mav5LrqyWj

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— Dr. Ouma Oluga (@fnoluga) March 1, 2020