The Kala-azar outbreak in Kenya’s North Eastern counties has intensified, with 16 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,041. The disease, which has already claimed 33 lives, continues to strain local health facilities and stir concern among public health officials. Wajir County remains the most affected, followed by Marsabit, according to Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
Muthoni confirmed the government’s deployment of response teams to support affected counties in managing the health crisis. These teams, working in collaboration with local authorities, have been tasked with surveillance, case management, and preventive measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease. Among the measures taken are the deployment of mobile laboratories three in Wajir and one in Marsabit as well as household spraying to target sandflies, the vectors responsible for transmitting the disease.
Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a neglected tropical disease endemic in arid and semi-arid parts of Kenya. It is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies, which thrive in dry, dusty environments. These sandflies are small, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 millimeters in length, and often go unnoticed by those they infect. The disease can be fatal if not treated in time, primarily affecting the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and leading to symptoms such as prolonged fever, weight loss, and anemia.
Efforts to contain the outbreak have been bolstered by the involvement of development partners who have facilitated the delivery of crucial medical supplies, including drugs. Muthoni emphasized the importance of these partnerships in enhancing the government’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively. She noted that Garissa County has also seen increased surveillance activities in a bid to prevent further spread.
In Wajir, where the impact has been most severe, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi reported encouraging signs of improvement. Local hospitals, once overwhelmed, are now discharging more patients than they are admitting, an indicator that the treatment protocols being implemented are yielding results. The establishment of a satellite blood bank in the region has also played a pivotal role in managing severe cases, especially those requiring transfusions due to complications like anemia.
Governor Abdullahi expressed optimism that continued collaboration with national health officials would lead to further containment of the disease. He highlighted that since the outbreak began in September of the previous year, Wajir alone has recorded over a thousand infections, but the trajectory is now beginning to shift in a more hopeful direction.
Despite the recent progress, both national and county-level authorities remain on high alert. With over 1,000 confirmed cases and fatalities rising, the situation underscores the need for sustained vigilance, ongoing public health education, and resource mobilization to ensure that the outbreak is brought fully under control. As the region continues to battle not just the disease but also the harsh environmental conditions that facilitate its spread, the resolve of healthcare workers and community leaders remains a critical element in the fight against Kala-azar.
