The Ministry of Health (MoH) has declared an outbreak of yellow fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitos.
According to the Ministry, three patients have already died from the disease in the Merti and Garbatulla areas of Isiolo County.
Acting Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth said a total of 15 people have so far presented yellow fever like symptoms , but only three cases have been confirmed.
“The first case was detected on 12th January 2022. To date, 15 patients presenting with fever, jaundice, muscle pain and joint pain have been line-listed; the youngest being 11 years and the oldest being 65 years,” Amoth said in a letter to health CECs across the country on Friday.
Sources indicate that majority of the cases are young male adults
“Sadly, we have recorded three deaths so far. Out of the six samples analysed at KEMRI, three turned positive through serology (Immunoglobulin M) and PCR,” Amoth said.
The ministry has listed Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Meru, Samburu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Turkana as the high risk areas.
Dr Amoth said the national government and partners are already mobilising resources to support response activities including vaccination.
“The ministry plans to conduct Yellow Fever vaccination in Isiolo and other high- risk counties including Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Meru, Samburu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, and possibly Tana River and Mandera,” he said.
He added that the ministry has also deployed a rapid response team to Isiolo and neighboring counties to establish the extent of the outbreak, determine at-risk populations, conduct a risk assessment, initiate risk communication and community engagement activities, and to implement integrated vector control measures.
Kenya last recorded cases of Yellow Fever in mid-1992 through to March 1993 in the south Kerio Valley.
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