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{
    "id": 627172,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/627172/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 87,
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    "content": "affect people of any age. What exactly triggers the symptoms is not known. The main symptoms include muscular weakness and tingling in the arms and legs. Severe complications can occur if the respiratory muscles are affected. This is not very specific to Zika virus. In 2015, local health authorities in Brazil also observed an increase in babies born with Microcephaly at the same time of an outbreak of Zika virus. Microcephaly is a situation where babies are born with a very small head and the brain development is markedly reduced. Although these cases are partially temporarily associated with Zika outbreaks, more robust investigation and research is needed to better understand a causal link in other countries. Therefore, it is not very well known. These are just speculative research findings. On the question of the potential risk of the outbreak in Kenya, an emergency committee was convened by the Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO) under International Health Regulation (2005) on 1st February, 2016. Following the advice of the committee, the WHO Director-General declared the recent cluster of Microcephaly babies and other analogical disorders reported in Brazil to be a public health emergency of international concern. The World Health Organisation ((WHO) conducted a risk assessment and has classified Kenya as being a medium risk country for Zika Virus epidemic. This risk assessment is based on several parameters like hazard exposure, which includes issues like availability of mosquitoes, urbanization and population density. There are also other factors like vulnerability, where seeking treatment for fever and Government effectives are all in doubt. There is also lack of coping capacity, where integrated disease surveillance, response implementation and laboratory capacities are in all doubt. These are the risk factors for Kenya. The other question was on measures taken by the Ministry of Health to monitor and control effects of the virus in the country, given the fact that the virus mutates. The measures are as follows: (a) Issuing of alerts, fact-finding sheets, surveillance, distribution of mosquito nets and conducting public awareness; (b) The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) centre for Viral Research has been tested to have a laboratory capacity to test for the virus and confirm the disease should it happen in Kenya; (c) establishment of an emergency operations centre; and, (d) setting up of rapid response teams. On the plans undertaken to ensure the protection of Kenyan athletes who will participate in Brazil Olympic Games in August, 2016, the medical team accompanying Team Kenya has been trained on the prevention, early detection and management of Zika Virus. The athletes have also been sensitized and the team supplied with materials, which include, fact-sheets, brochures and frequently asked questions on Zika Virus. Updates on Zika Virus have also been shared with the National Olympics Committee. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is a long and technical answer; I hope the Member understood it. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}