Ministry of Health sets mobile laboratories to curb Kala-azar in Wajir
The aid from the national government comes at a time when the Wajir county government has acknowledged it is overwhelmed by the many cases being reported.
The National Government has stepped up its response to the Kala-azar disease ravaging the north eastern county of Wajir, as fresh data indicates the death toll from the disease has hit 25, with infections now rising to over 600, most affected being children.
Fresh data suggests that 106 people are receiving treatment at various facilities in Wajir County, the most affected being the county’s level 4 hospital where most of the operations have been moved.
Speaking on Friday morning when she flagged off mobile laboratories to the northeastern county to help in early diagnosis, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni says the government, through the National Treasury is releasing funds to aid combat the disease that has so far claimed over 20 lives since its fresh outbreak in September 2024.
“The national treasury has released funds for the purchase of commodities to the counties affected by the outbreak of Kala-azar. The three mobile laboratories being flagged off today will provide outreach services in the three most affected sub-counties and support the active cases,” the PS stated.
The aid from the national government comes at a time when the Wajir county government has acknowledged it is overwhelmed by the many cases being reported.
The mobile laboratories will be instrumental in enhancing early detection, as most of the patients were being taken to health facilities when the situation was almost dire.
Last week, Wajir county executive committee member for health, Habiba Ali, admitted there are serious challenges that including a shortage of wards to cater for the rising numbers.
PS Muthoni also says the government is keen to have the outbreak dealt with to prevent a spread to other regions that are prone, such as the Rift Valley.
The severe outbreak of Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as Kala-azar, a deadly parasitic disease, has been reported in the North Eastern County for the last three months.
Since the outbreak began in December 2023, health officials have been struggling to control it with the Wajir County Government now taking emergency steps, including opening a new hospital ward for patients, providing urgent medical supplies besides conducting mass fumigation in high-risk areas.
Previous outbreaks occurred in 2023, resulting in over 1,500 suspected cases and over 50 deaths reported.
Kala-azar is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) transmitted by the infected sand fly, a tiny two to three-millimetre-long insect vector. Globally, an estimated 30,000 new cases occur annually.
This fatal disease manifests with early symptoms including fever, weight loss and fatigue.
Advanced stages comprise an enlarged spleen and liver, severe anaemia, and darkening of the skin (hence “kala-azar” meaning “black fever” in Hindi.
If left untreated, it leads to death.
