Pulse logo
Pulse Region

Govt's appeal to breastfeeding mothers who test positive for Covid-19

Does breast milk transmit Covid-19?
Image of a Kenyan mother breastfeeding her child (UNICEF Kenya)
Image of a Kenyan mother breastfeeding her child (UNICEF Kenya)

The Ministry of Health on Thursday issued a statement to officially mark the world Breastfeeding Week amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

CAS Rashid Aman who addressed the press alongside UNICEF's Chief of Health Yaron Wolman appealed to breastfeeding mothers in Kenya not to deny their infants breast milk even when they test positive for the novel Coronavirus.

They further asked Covid-positive breastfeeding mothers to practice respiratory hygiene during breastfeeding to avoid transmitting the virus to their infants.

"Transmission of SARS/COVID to newborns is thought to occur primarily through respiratory droplets during the post-natal period when they are exposed to infected mothers or other caregivers," Dr Aman conveyed.

Recommended For You
Entertainment
2025-03-18T02:26:22+00:00
Khalif Kairo and his former business partner Clement Kinuthia are locked in a heated exchange of accusations, with Kairo now alleging that Clement not only cheated on his wife but also had an affair with his (Kairo’s) girlfriend. The car dealer also revealed that he is currently single, but will introduce a new lady once he resolves the issues surrounding his business.
Businessman A past image of Khalif Kairo with his ex business partner Clement Kinuthia
Lifestyle
2025-03-18T12:40:12+00:00
Rachel Ruto is no stranger to making bold yet elegant fashion statements, but during the state visit of the Dutch royals on March 18, 2025, it wasn’t just her outfit that stood out—it was her shoes. The Kenyan First Lady stepped out in a pair of brown suede block heels adorned with a gold emblem.
The Sh83K shoes that completed Rachel Ruto’s State Visit look
Health CAS Rashid Aman

Health CAS Rashid Aman

Also Read: Kenya now has 24,411 coronavirus cases as 538 people test positive

He emphasized that it is unlikely for a mother to transmit the Covid-19 infection to her child through breast milk.

"Health care workers must counsel mothers with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 illness on all the precautions to be taken to avoid transmitting the virus to their infants. The mother should be instructed to wash her hands using soap and water...or sanitizer...before touching the infant. Mothers should wear a face mask or a cloth face covering while breastfeeding. If expressing breast milk, the mother should wash her hands before touching the bottle or pump parts," the CAS elaborated.

He further noted that though information on transmission of the virus during pregnancy is scanty, research has shown minimal possibility of the vertical transmission.

Subscribe to receive daily news updates.