Outbreak of Rift Valley Hemorrhagic Fever Continues in North Eastern Province, 13 Deaths Confirmed
Category: Health and Medical
Severity: 2 (Low)
Source: Drum Cussac
06/19/2018 (Kenya) - According to local news sources on Tuesday, 19 June, the number of deaths from the recent outbreak of Rift Valley Fever has now risen to 13. The outbreak, which has occurred in the North Eastern Province, has led to a total of 234 suspected cases. Rift Valley Fever is passed to humans by contact with infected animal blood, breathing the air around an infected animal being butchered, drinking raw milk from an infected animal, or the bite of infected mosquitoes. Recent heavy rains have left large areas of stagnant water, fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the main vectors for disease transmission.
Initial symptoms of Rift Valley Fever include back and muscle pain, severe headaches and fever, and the disease can eventually cause encephalitis, comas and seizures. If any of these symptoms occur, members should seek medical assistance immediately. Recommended precautions include wearing long, loose-fitting clothes, using effective mosquito repellents containing DEET, and sleeping under mosquito nets treated with insecticides. Avoid non-essential contact with livestock. Members are advised to monitor local media to remain abreast of outbreak-related developments.
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