TB prevalence in Mombasa and Malindi slums, say public health chief Omar

Slum area in Bangla Mikindani area Mombasa.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI

Tuberculosis is prevalent at slums in the Coast, the director of public health and sanitation at the province has warned.  Director Anisa Omar blamed the high population at the slums for the rapid spread of the disease. 
Speaking to the Star, Omar said TB is common in the slums because of poor air circulation and ventilation. “We diagnose new cases every month and a large number comes from Moroto, Kalahari and other slums in Mombasa,” she said.
“Overcrowding increases the TB infection rate because we all know the disease is airborne.” Omar said Malindi has a high infection rate too. However, she said the Public Health ministry is working to ensure that TB is contained in the region.
Omar said the cure rate in the province is 95 per cent with almost everyone who is diagnosed with the infection fully recovering. She urged TB patients to adhere to doctor's instructions.
Omar said the outbreak of Dengue disease a few weeks ago has been fully contained in Mombasa. She said they have not recorded any new case. “The ministry is keeping surveillance by ensuring it controls the breeding grounds for mosquitoes which spread the disease,” Omar said.
Last month eight people were admitted to a private hospital in Mombasa after they were suspected to have contacted the disease.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-115850/tb-prevalence-mombasa-and-malindi-slums-say-public-health-chief-omar