The Kala-azar outbreak in Wajir County has taken a devastating turn, with the death toll rising to 20 since the disease was first reported in September last year. The situation has become dire, with calls for the disease to be declared a pandemic as healthcare facilities are overwhelmed and resources dwindle.
Wajir’s main Level 4 hospital is struggling to cope with the influx of patients. Most wards have been converted into Kala-azar management units, and with no space left, some patients are being treated outside under trees. The worst-hit areas are Eldas and Wajir West, where the county government has launched a fumigation campaign targeting over 10,000 households to curb the spread of the disease.
However, the rising cases are met with a critical shortage of test kits, which are not available locally and must be imported from the Netherlands. Governor Ahmed Abdulahi has appealed to the national government for urgent assistance, as the county’s resources are nearly exhausted. According to Habiba Ali, the County Health Executive, treatment has now been centralized at the main hospital due to the depletion of medical supplies.
Children under five, who have weaker immune systems, account for most of the fatalities. With testing kits in short supply, healthcare workers are forced to diagnose and treat patients based on symptoms rather than confirmed test results. This approach, while necessary, poses significant risks and underscores the urgency of the situation.
To combat the outbreak, the county has trained 50 community health promoters to conduct fumigation and educate residents on symptoms, causes, and the importance of early treatment. Many patients are arriving at hospitals in critical condition, highlighting the need for increased awareness. The promoters are also monitoring affected households and facilitating specialized care for severe cases.
As the crisis escalates, Wajir County’s plea for national and international support grows more urgent. Without immediate intervention, the Kala-azar outbreak could spiral further out of control, claiming more lives and overwhelming an already strained healthcare system.
