Kenya enhances malaria response in the wake of El-Nino rains

Kenya's health ministry and partners said on Wednesday they have put in place contingency plans to strengthen response to malaria epidemic that is anticipated during the onset of El-Nino rains.

Cabinet Secretary for Health James Macharia said El-Nino rains expected in many parts of the country from October to late December are likely to trigger a spike in communicable diseases like malaria, typhoid and bilharzia.

"We have prepared a contingency plan to strengthen preparedness to malaria and other communicable diseases associated with flooding during El-Nino rain season," said Macharia.

He spoke in Nairobi during the launch of a national malaria strategy that spells out high impact interventions the government will focus on to combat the killer disease effectively.

The Kenyan Meteorological Services (MET) announced in September the country would experience El-Nino rains from October to January 2016.

Deputy President William Ruto in late September said the government has formed an inter-agency taskforce to coordinate response to this weather phenomenon.

Macharia said the health sector has set aside adequate resources and personnel to help counties deal with disease outbreaks during the El-Nino rain season.

"Some of the challenges anticipated during the El-Nino rains include vector borne diseases, displacement of population and constraints in supply of essential medicine. We are prepared to handle these emergencies," Macharia said.

He added the government has enough stock of malaria drugs that will be distributed in flood prone regions when the El-Nino rains begin later in the week.

The Kenyan Ministry of Health has invested in surveillance, diagnostic equipments and public awareness to enhance response to malaria during the El-Nino rains.

Macharia said preventive measures like indoor spraying and distribution of treated nets have been prioritized in malaria endemic regions in the coast and western region. Endit