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Kala-azar outbreak kills three, 29 hospitalised in Marsabit: https://nation.africa/kenya/counties...sabit--4949690
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Source: https://www.citizen.digital/news/kal...alised-n359577
Kala-azar: New disease outbreak in Wajir claims 18 lives, 106 hospitalised
Citizen Reporter By Citizen Reporter Published on: March 20, 2025 04:28 (EAT)
By Hashim Jimaal
A deadly outbreak of Kala-azar, a parasitic disease caused by the Leishmania parasite, has hit Wajir County, leaving 18 dead and infecting more than 500 people in the last 3 months.
With cases spreading across four sub-counties, the county government has launched an emergency response initiative to contain the situation.
Health officials in Wajir County are struggling to manage the outbreak, which began in December last year and has spread to four sub-counties, with 106 patients currently hospitalized.
The medical personnel confirmed that 532 cases have been reported so far, with most patients recovering after treatment. The disease has claimed 18 people, most due to delayed medical attention.
"We are dealing with an endemic disease, but this outbreak is severe. We urge residents to seek medical attention immediately to avoid further fatalities," Dr. Ali, a pediatrician at Wajir County Referral Hospital said...
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Location of Wajir County in Kenya
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wajir_County
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Wajir County deploys health team for 10-day fumigation to combat Kala-Azar outbreak
By Issa Hussein
Saturday, March 22, 2025
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Ahmed Guhad, the County Chief Officer for Medical Services, stated that the disease has claimed nine lives since September last year. Speaking at Wajir Referral Hospital three days ago, he noted that all those who succumbed were children under the age of five.
“We currently have over 500 reported cases, with the majority being children under five, mainly from Eldas, Wajir West, and Wajir East constituencies,” he said.
He emphasised that the situation has been exacerbated by overstretched health facilities, a lack of testing kits, and the remoteness of some affected areas, which has hindered an effective response.
Hassan Abass Ahmed, the County Director of Medical Services, stated that Wajir Referral Hospital has been overwhelmed by the increasing number of kala-azar patients seeking admission. This has forced medics to refer patients to Makoror Hospital, while sub-county health centres in Giriftu (Wajir West) and Eldas have begun admitting patients instead of referring them to Wajir Referral Hospital.
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Source: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/real...s-reported-moh
MOH: 16 new Kala-azar infections reported
Public Health PS Mary Muthoni said the deathtoll now stands at 33 countrywide.
by EMMANUEL WANJALA
09 April 2025 - 18:10
Kenya recorded 16 new Kala-azar infections in the last 24 hours, Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni has said.
The PS said the death toll now stands at 33 countrywide.
"Already we have 1,041 cases and just last night we had 16 new cases that have been recovered," Muthoni said, adding that Northeastern counties are the worst affected...Comment
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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 22: 26 May to 1 June 2025
Data as reported by: 17:00; 1 June 2025
Kenya
Leishmaniasis
1 378 Cases
46 Deaths
3.3% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
As of epidemiological Week 22, (ending 01 June 2025),
Kenya had reported a cumulative total of 1 378 visceral
leishmaniasis cases. Of these, 1 069 (79.5%) cases were
laboratory confirmed, and 46 were associated deaths,
resulting in a case fatality rate of 3.3%. In reporting week
22, 10 new cases were recorded in Mandera County
Cumulatively, cases were reported in the counties of
Wajir (957 cases, 38 deaths), Marsabit (347 cases, 5
deaths), Mandera (65 cases, 1 death), and Samburu
(9 cases, 2 deaths). Wajir county accounted for 69.4%
(n=957) of total cases and 82.6% (n= 38) of all reported
deaths.
The epidemic curve shows an upward trend beginning
from Week 49 of 2024, peaking in Weeks 7 to 10 of 2025,
and declining steadily through Week 21 of 2025.
This trend suggests that Kenya may be entering a
phase of reduced transmission, although localized
surges could persist, as seen in new cases reported in
Mandera County. Furthermore, the observed decline
in cases should be interpreted cautiously, as it may not
indicate an absolute decrease but rather a reflection of
reporting delays from some counties. Children under
5 years are the most affected age group, carrying the
highest mortality burden, followed by children aged 5 to
14 years. Of the total cases reported in 2025, 58.0% (n =
201) are male and 42.0% (n = 143) are female, indicating
a higher infection rate among males.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Kenya’s Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and
health partners, continues to coordinate response activities,
including:
Strengthened outreach and access to care by expanding
mobile clinics and undertaking active surveillance, case
investigations, and laboratory confirmation in affected
sub-counties and remote villages.
Enhance risk communication and community
engagement by utilising local languages, particularly
Somali and Borana. Trusted community messengers and
health volunteers were involved.
Support clinical responses by distributing crucial medical
supplies, offering treatment updates, and training local
healthcare workers in the management of visceral
leishmaniasis cases.
Enhance visibility and trust by sharing updates regarding
treatment, drug delivery, and success stories to
strengthen public confidence and promote early careseeking behaviour.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The overall weekly case count has declined; however,
Mandera County remains a concern due to emerging
new cases. The significant burden among children
under 15 years and the ongoing fatalities highlight the
necessity for sustained surveillance, timely case detection,
and access to diagnostics and treatment in remote areas.
Continued inter-county coordination and partner engagement
are vital to containing the outbreak. Targeted vector
control, active case finding, and the prompt deployment of
diagnostics and therapeutics are also crucial for maintaining
progress, preventing resurgence, and achieving full containment
of the outbreak.
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Source: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/amp/...s-deaths-surge
Turkana on high alert as cases of Kala-azar infections, deaths surge
By Lucas Ngasike | Oct. 6, 2025
Turkana County has declared a public health emergency in the wake of significant rise in cases of Kala-azar infections.
Health officials say 2025 has become the worst year on record for this deadly parasitic disease.
The county has emerged as the epicentre of Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis, VL) in the country with over 2,043 cases reported this year, according to official data from the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS). This places Turkana ahead of West Pokot (1,913 cases) and Wajir (905), while Samburu recorded just four cases...Comment
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