Cheboi calls for measures to fight black fever

Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi has called on medical researchers to come up with lasting solution to the Kala-zar, also known as black fever, which is predominant in parts of the county.

Governor Cheboi, who was speaking at Marigat where Daystar University pledged to build over 100 temporary houses for families affected by the disease, said there was urgent need to stamp out the disease.

“The county has placed keen emphasis on disease prevention strategies and we are calling on research institutions and well-wishers to help us fight this disease,” said Cheboi.

He said his government allocated the health docket more than 50 per cent of its 2014-2015 budget as part of efforts to boost healthcare provision in the region.

He also invited the university to collaborate with Baringo County in other sectors such education and ICT.

Daystar University’s Dean School of Science, Engineering and Health Peter Ngure, said studies had established that poor housing contributes to the spread of Kala-azar.

“Residents living in stick-walled houses are at the greatest risk of getting infected as the sand flies, which spread the disease, have easy access to their homes,” Prof Ngure said.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, over 5 million Kenyans in Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) areas are at risk of contracting the disease due to presence of predisposing factors like anthills in those areas.

Neglected disease

Health Principal Secretary Fred Segor recently said more than 4000 cases of Kala Azar are reported annually.

He said the prevalence of the disease is high in pastoralist areas such as Baringo, Isiolo, Kitui, Turkana, West Pokot and Wajir, adding that the Kenya Medical Research Institute had made great strides in the fight against the disease.

Kala-azar is a vector-borne disease spread by sand flies normally found on anthills.

The Kala-azar spreading vector thrives in ASAL areas of the world and is rampant in 25 counties in Kenya.