Panic engulfed Nanyuki Town after a baby died after the deadly Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) was reported in the area.
Laikipia health official Donald Mogoi confirmed the results from the National Health Laboratory revealed the presence of the deadly virus.
The five-year-old boy died at the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital and was being treated for pneumonia according to his father.
The Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behavior.
playLaikipia County Director of Health and Sanitation Dr Donald Moghoi said that in the last two weeks patients have been seeking services with high fever, dry cough, sore throat and general body weakness which are signs of the virus (Capital FM)Transmission
The the virus can be transmitted to humans and is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets containing virus from people sneezing or coughing.
After early outbreaks in North America in April 2009 the new influenza virus spread rapidly around the world.
By the time WHO declared a pandemic in June 2009, a total of 74 countries and territories had reported laboratory confirmed infections.
