The Ministry of Health has reassured Kenyans following reports of a Nipah Virus outbreak in India, confirming that no cases have been reported in the country.
In a public advisory issued on Tuesday, the ministry said two confirmed cases of the rare but serious viral disease have been reported in India’s West Bengal region. Despite this, officials stressed that the risk of the virus spreading to Kenya remains low.
“There is currently no Nipah Virus outbreak in Kenya and the risk to the general public remains low,” said Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, urging citizens to rely on official government sources and avoid spreading rumours.
“Nipah Virus is a rare but serious viral disease that can spread from animals to humans and, in some cases, from person to person,” Dr. Amoth added, noting that while outbreaks have occurred in parts of Asia, none have been reported in Africa, including Kenya.
Dr. Amoth explained that fruit bats are the natural hosts of the virus, which can spread through direct contact with infected animals, consuming food contaminated by bats, or close contact with infected individuals, especially via bodily fluids.
He confirmed that the government is closely monitoring developments in India and has activated preparedness measures locally.
“The Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation, conducting continuous risk assessments, maintaining the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre on watch mode, and strengthening preparedness and response planning,” Dr. Amoth said.
Symptoms of the virus may appear between three and 21 days after exposure, including fever, headache, confusion, drowsiness, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Severe cases can lead to brain inflammation and may become life-threatening.
Kenyans have been advised to take simple precautions, such as washing hands regularly, cleaning and peeling fruits before consumption, avoiding raw or unprocessed fruit products, and steering clear of fruits showing signs of animal bites.
The ministry also urged avoiding close contact with seriously ill individuals and encouraged anyone experiencing fever with breathing difficulties or confusion to seek medical attention promptly.
As an additional precaution, Kenyans have been asked to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas in India. Anyone experiencing severe illness, especially after recent international travel, should visit the nearest health facility immediately.
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