Hepatitis A cases in Mombasa rise to 114

Sixty-three new cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed in Mombasa County in the past seven days.

The new cases bring the total number of infections this year to 114, medical authorities said last evening.

Speaking during a media briefing on the status of the outbreak, County Secretary Francis Thoya announced an all-out strategy to contain the viral liver disease involving the Mombasa Water and Sewerage Company, the County Inspectorate and the Health department.

He said the Department of Finance had set aside Sh11 million to buy drugs for the four affected sub-counties of Jomvu, Changamwe, Likoni and Mvita.

Mr Thoya further said that the government would scrutinise all bottled water sold in the county suspected to be contaminated.

“We have established that most of the bottled water sold at matatu termini has illegal seals and could be terminated,” he said.

County inspectorate officials accompanied by public health officials, he said, would conduct impromptu raids on the companies suspected to be selling contaminated water.

Raids will also be conducted on makeshift eateries and mishikaki (grilled meat joints) suspected to be serving contaminated food.

Yesterday, Thoya admitted that the decision to clamp down on illegal water connections that saw closure of over 2,500 water kiosks in the county could have aggravated the spread of the disease.

But he defended the decision saying that it was aimed at streamlining water-kiosk operations by dealing with illegal connections some which passed through sewage.

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infected person.

Yesterday, County Director of Health Shem Patta said most Hepatitis A patients recover about four weeks after treatment.

He asked anyone who has experienced yellowing of the eyes, vomiting, loss of appetite and dark yellow urine to visit health facilities for check-up and treatment.