The Ministry of Health on Monday dismissed claims of the avian or swine flu outbreak in Kenya. 

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"What we are witnessing currently is the heightened circulation of influenza flu viruses in Kenya," said the ministry adding that influenza viruses circulate all year round.

The clarification on the outbreak comes two days after a 17-year-old boy who had travelled from Watamu, Mombasa to Nairobi died with symptoms similar to those of swine flu.

The young boy was transferred to a high dependency unit with symptoms of high fever and chest pains. He later died on Friday. 

The people who got in contact with the boy including a doctor who was treating him, his mother and sister were also infected and consequently hospitalised. The only person who was not infected was the boy's father.

The sister has, however, been discharged and is receiving treatment as an outpatient while the doctor and mother continue to receive treatment as inpatients.

The ministry has since revealed that the boy died from a severe acute respiratory infection (Sari) and not swine flu. 

Sari infection is, however, as deadly as swine flu. Some of its symptoms include high temperatures of above 38 degrees, a cough that lasts 10 days, and difficulty in breathing.

The ministry also advised Kenyans who have exhibit such symptoms to seel treatment immediately.