KARIBU KENYA - UNON - the United Nations Office at Nairobi

CHAPTER 7: HEALTH & HYGIENE
Staying Healthy in Kenya
Health & Hygiene Conditions
Because of Nairobi’s high altitude, residents are not subject to such a high
risk of many of the tropical diseases that afflict other African cities. However,
outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other bacterial infections are not uncommon
here, particularly in the overcrowded slum areas, where water and sanitation infrastructure
are poor or non-existent and diseases often flourish as a result. However,
the altitude does have some setbacks:it can make people feel excessively tired when
they arrive (a phenomenon that usually wears off after 2-3 weeks), and Nairobi’s
location near the equator also increases the risk of sunburn, particularly for those
with pale or sensitive skin.The use of hats and sunscreen is recommended, particularly
for young children. Foods should be well cooked, and salads washed thoroughly
in boiled water. News of the latest health threats and regularly updated
travel health advisories can be obtained from the UN Medical Service.
Water Treatment
Although Nairobi City Council does treat its water supplies with chlorine,they are
not recommended to drink untreated. Either drink bottled water or ensure that all
your drinking water is filtered and boiled for at least 10-15 minutes. On safari, it is
recommended to bring bottled water or to use Hydroclonazone purification
tablets.To be safe,Nairobi residents should also use boiled water for brushing teeth,
and should only use ice made from boiled or treated water. Some of Nairobi’s
suburbs, such as Karen, Langata and Tigoni, have recorded high levels of fluoride
in their borehole water, which can lead to the permanent discolouration of teeth.
Malaria
As a disease that kills over 1 million Africans each year, the risk of malaria
must always be taken seriously.Although Nairobi is generally considered to be
malaria free, the disease is endemic in most parts of the country – with the
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