Government spokesman Dr. Alfred Mutua says the government is committed to ensure that the spread of Influenza H1N1 virus commonly known as Swine flu in the country is contained.

Addressing the weekly press briefing at KICC building Thursday, Mutua said the government in collaboration with the World Health Organization is up to the task of curbing the spread of the disease in all learning institutions and public places.

He however said the ministry of public health and sanitation has imposed a quarantine programme to the already infected patients to curb the spread of the disease.

Dr. Mutua called on the public not to panic but instead practice high level of hygiene.

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the country now stands at 195, with only 49 of the cases are in secondary schools.

Elsewhere, panic has gripped a community in the vicinity of Mlaindi High School in Malindi District following reports that twenty students exhibiting signs of the swine flu virus have been quarantined at the school.

Malindi District Hospital Superintendent, Dr. Morris Buni says the students were on Tuesday rushed to the hospital where their samples were taken for further investigations in Nairobi.

He says the students subsequently returned to the school where they were quarantined, as medical personnel try to establish whether they are suffering from swine flu. Consequently, Buni says doctors at the Malindi District Hospital have been put on high alert to handle any swine flu cases that might arise.

Meanwhile, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Shanaaz Shariff says his Ministry in partneship with the Ministry of Education intends to suspend all inter-school activities to stop the spread of the disease from one school to another.

Meanwhile, Nyanza Provincial Director of Public Health and Sanitation Dr. Jackson Kioko has dispelled fears of a swine flu outbreak at Otieno Oyoo Secondary School in Nyando District.

Dr. Kioko says most students at the school have been medically examined and found to be suffering from fever and common seasonal flu.

Following a change in the weather patterns, he says most people are experiencing human seasonal flu, which should not be confused with H1N1 swine flu virus.

Elsewhere, Rift Valley Provincial Director of Medical Services Dr. Benedict Osore has cautioned secondary school principals against sending home students who show symptoms of swine flu to avoid spreading the virus to the uninfected population.

Osore says the principals should instead isolate sick students and treat them. Panic has gripped several schools across the country after 26 students of Kenya High School in Nairobi were quarantined after contracting swine flu.