Wajir County, Kenya| A deadly Kala-Azar outbreak has claimed 20 lives and infected more than 500 people in Wajir County over the past three months, pushing local health facilities to the brink.
Authorities have launched urgent interventions as they struggle to contain the rapid spread of the disease.
Health officials report that the outbreak, which began in December last year, has primarily affected four sub-counties within the North Eastern devolved unit.
Among the infected, children under the age of five are the most vulnerable, leading to heightened concerns and emergency response measures.
The Wajir County Referral Hospital and other medical centers are overwhelmed, with an increasing number of patients seeking treatment for the disease, also known as visceral leishmaniasis.
Kala-Azar presents with severe fever, drastic weight loss, enlarged spleens and livers, as well as anemia, making early diagnosis and treatment critical for survival.
However, the county is grappling with severe shortages of essential medical supplies.
Authorities highlight that the region is running critically low on blood supplies, which are crucial for treating anemia in Kala-Azar patients.
Additionally, the specialized test kits required for diagnosing the disease must be imported from the Netherlands, causing further delays in response efforts.
In an effort to curb the spread of the disease, the county government has deployed 50 health workers to Eldas, one of the hardest-hit areas, to carry out mass fumigation.
This measure aims to control the population of sandflies, the primary carriers of the parasite responsible for Kala-Azar.
County officials are urgently appealing for national and international support to reinforce containment efforts.
They are calling on the Ministry of Health, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders to provide medical supplies, personnel, and financial aid to manage the crisis effectively.
With the number of infections rising, health authorities emphasize the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to stop further transmission.
As the county battles this public health emergency, swift and coordinated action remains crucial in preventing further loss of life and containing the outbreak.
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