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{
"id": 1559178,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559178/?format=api",
"text_counter": 169,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) James Nyikal",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. Speaker, I wish to respond to a Request of Statement by Hon. Adan Keynan, CBS, MP, before the Departmental Committee on Health on the status of the Kala-azar outbreak in Wajir County. Hon. Members, I wish to bring to the attention of this House the current situation regarding the outbreak of Kala-azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis, in Wajir. Kala- azar is a life-threatening parasitic disease caused by a parasite. It is transmitted through the bite of infected sand flies. It remains a serious public health concern, particularly in Kenya's North Eastern, Rift Valley, and Eastern regions. If left untreated, the disease has a fatality rate of 95 per cent. Common symptoms include prolonged fever, weight loss, diarrhoea, fatigue, anaemia, darkening of the skin, swollen glands, and enlargement of the spleen and the liver. Kenya has over the past six years consistently reported between 500 and 1,300 cases of Kala-azar annually, largely concentrated in 11 endemic counties. Since September 2024, however, a significant surge in reported cases has been observed with Wajir County emerging as the epicentre. To date, Wajir has recorded 762 confirmed cases. That is the highest among affected counties. Of these, 85 per cent of patients have been successfully treated and recovered. Eleven per cent are undergoing treatment. Tragically, 29 lives have been lost. That represents a case fatality of 3.8 per cent. That means 38 people out of 1,000 people have died. The most affected sub-counties are Wajir East, Wajir West and Eldas. Currently, 86 cases are on treatment across various sub-county health facilities: Wajir County Referral Hospital, 55 cases; Griftu Sub-county Hospital, 22; Eldas Sub-county Hospital, eight; and Bute Sub-county Hospital, one. Visceral Leishmaniasis transmission in the affected regions is predominantly driven by the presence and proliferation of sand fly vectors known as Phlebotomus. They thrive in arid and semi-arid areas commonly found in northern Kenya. Human infections typically occur when individuals are exposed to these vectors while residing in or moving through those endemic areas. Particularly, near termite mounds, animal shelters, and cracks in walls in abandoned buildings. The risk of infection and disease severity is significantly heightened by underlying vulnerabilities like malnutrition, weakened immunity, comorbidities like in people who are infected with diseases like HIV, and delayed health-seeking behaviour. The disease disproportionately, affects marginalised populations living in remote, underserved areas where access to timely diagnosis and treatment is limited. Environmental and socio-economic factors further exacerbate the outbreak. These include poor housing conditions that offer little protection against sand flies, water scarcity, increased population mobility, and displacement due to conflict or climatic factors. Additionally, low community awareness combined with high levels of cross-border movement complicates surveillance, control, and case management. Without sustained multi- sectoral interventions, including vector control, early detection, and continuous health system strengthening, the risk of recurrent outbreaks and higher mortality remains significant. On intervention undertaken in Wajir so far in response to the ongoing Kala-azar outbreak in Wajir County, the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Health (MOH) in The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}