At least nine individuals have died, and over 80 others are gravely ill in Kargi Location, Marsabit County, following an epidemic of an unknown illness.
Moses Galoro, the area’s senior chief, has requested an immediate intervention to prevent further casualties.
According to local media reports, preliminary tests indicated the possibility of a violent malaria outbreak.
According to Chief Galoro, the disease has killed six adults and three children aged one to three years.
The affected persons had a travel history out of Marsabit County, having come from satellite camps in Archers Post and Merille areas. Out of the 27 patients screened, only five tested positive for malaria.
Symptoms exhibited by most of the affected persons include flu-like symptoms, yellow eyes, and severe headaches. However, the latest victim, who died at Kargi Health Centre, exhibited flu-like symptoms, swollen spleen, severe headache, and yellowish eyes, which is similar to Kalazar.
Medics however say visceral leishmaniasis – also known as kala-azar disease – cannot be ruled out.
Visceral leishmaniasis is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. It can be fatal if left untreated in over 95% of cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The disease was first reported two weeks ago and has continued to cause havoc in the region. Urgent virology tests and mass screening of residents have been called for by Chief Galoro to establish the exact cause of the deaths and to avert further fatalities.
The outbreak comes two months after the Kenya Medical Research Institute detected an invasive mosquito species in Laisamis and Saku areas of Marsabit county.
