- Suspected mumps cases have been reported in several Nairobi schools, prompting advisories urging parents to monitor children for symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and painful swelling of salivary glands.
- Transmission risks are heightened in school settings due to saliva, respiratory droplets, sharing utensils, and overcrowded classrooms; experts stress hygiene, ventilation, and vaccination as key preventive measures.
- The Ministry of Health has not stated any official outbreak reports yet, while maintaining surveillance
Several schools in Nairobi have issued advisories warning parents of suspected cases of mumps, a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects children aged between five and nine years, although teenagers and adults can also be infected. The alerts have raised concern among families and education stakeholders, with calls for vigilance as the disease spreads easily in school environments.
The virus spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, muscle aches, coughing, and pain while chewing or swallowing.
“Dear parents and guardians, we would like to inform you that there has been a reported outbreak of mumps in our area and school community. Mumps is highly contagious and can also spread through sharing of utensils and sneezing,” one school said in a notice to parents.
Some schools have advised parents to seek medical attention if their children develop symptoms, keep symptomatic learners at home until they are assessed by a medical professional, and observe proper hygiene measures to help prevent further spread.
“We are taking extra measures at school to sanitise and monitor the situation,” another school stated.
Health experts note that symptoms of mumps usually appear between 16 and 18 days after infection, although the incubation period ranges from 12 to 25 days.
One parent, who requested anonymity, said the disease had been spreading for some time, alleging that some schools had temporarily closed due to the infections. She added that her son contracted mumps the previous month, as did a friend’s child.
Brown Ashira, a public health officer, said mumps is a viral infection characterised by painful swelling of the parotid and other salivary glands on both sides of the face.
“What makes it particularly difficult to contain in school environments is its transmission window. A person infected with mumps is already contagious two days before the visible swelling appears, allowing the virus to spread before cases are identified,” said Ashira.
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Ashira added that the disease can also spread through sharing water bottles, close interaction among pupils and overcrowded classrooms. He urged schools to improve natural ventilation, maintain proper hygiene, and strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures to reduce transmission.
“Vaccination remains the most effective protection against mumps, and parents should ensure their children receive the recommended immunisation,” he said.
The Ministry of Health, however, said it had not received any official reports of a mumps outbreak in Nairobi. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the ministry has an established vaccination programme covering measles, mumps and rubella, among other vaccine antigens.
“We would investigate the concerns through our public surveillance systems and provide further information once the facts are established,” said Duale.
Most people recover from mumps within one to two weeks. However, the disease can occasionally lead to complications, particularly among adolescents and adults. Health experts advise communities to maintain good hygiene, avoid close contact with infected individuals, ensure vaccination, and seek prompt medical attention when symptoms appear.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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