Kenya and almost all other countries have so far managed to evade the Coronavirus epidemic that is wreaking havoc in Asia, Europe and beyond. This is despite the fact that many governments in the region have been accused of being complacent in their preparedness for the possible eventuality.
While many conspiracies have risen about the surprising statistics, it seems the virus has not been able to affect the continent as much because of visa and trade restrictions Africans are subjected to by the outside world.
The country has not reported any confirmed cases of Coronavirus. A plane with 239 passengers from China was allowed into the country and the occupants told to self quarantine themselves. It remains to be seen whether those passengers will not show symptoms of the disease in the long run.
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The incubation period, between infection and the offset of symptoms, is 14 days according to the World Health Organization but the experts we talk to claim that this period may be as long as 24 days.
But what happens if the virus makes an appearance? What are your chances of dying?
Researchers in the medical field say that if 1000 Kenyans were to get infected, about 5 at minimum and 40 at maximum would die. The average deaths for 1000 infected people however stands at 1% according to people well versed with such epidemics.
A range of factors will influence your chances of surviving but the strongest of the factors are age, gender, general health and the availability and preparedness of healthcare providers in your county of residence.
Because the disease has symptoms highly similar to those of flu, many of the cases may end up being unreported until it is too late. The disease begins to show itself in the form of fever followed by a dry cough.
A week later, a patient begins to experience shortness of breathe and at this point they will inevitably need medical care.
You will likely catch the virus if you are elderly, unwell, and in high cases, a man. Statistics from China from the scientific analysis of the first 44,000 cases showed that infection rates were 10 times higher for the elderly than the middle-aged. Smokers are also a strong target for the virus.
Those below the age of 30 recorded the lowest infection rates. Only eight people in this age group were infected and died in 4500 cases.
Research from China says that men's bodies are finding it harder to fight the virus than women. While infection rates for men and women were more or less the same, there is a 2.8% mortality rate for men compared to 1.7% for women.
As a woman in Kenya, you have a heightened immune response. This could be due to the fact that women have two X Chromosomes that carry immune related genes. Higher levels of Estrogen also contribute to higher immunity.
Kenyans are optimistic that the current situation in the country will stay as it is. In the meantime, the World Health Organization advises that you wash your hands, avoid people who are coughing and sneezing, and avoid touching your eyes and nose.
This article is part of our research and coverage of the Coronavirus epidemic in the world but with sharper focus in Kenya. Stay tuned for more.
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