|
Yellow fever which is mosquito borne viral disease is common in sub Saharan Africa. Yellow fever brings with it influenza to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. Kidney failure, meningitis and internal bleeding are some of the consequences of the disease. A common feature of yellow fever is hepatitis which results in the yellow coloring of the skin( from where the disease gets its name). With no treatment available, the mortality rate for yellow fever varies from 5 % to 40%. the best way to prevent it is vaccination.
Prior to September 1992 there had been no record of Yellow fever in Kenya. in that year cases of hemorrhagic fever in Kerio valley were brought into the notice of Kenya Ministry of Health. This disease was confirmed as yellow fever and it led to a mass campaign in Kenya for Yellow fever vaccination.55 persons were detected with Yellow fever from the rift valley area, 5 people died and it was found that women suffering from Yellow fever are more prone to death than men. This first documented outbreak of Yellow fever in Kenya is an apt example of a sylvatic transmission cycle.
The risk of contracting yellow fever is lower in Cities like Nairobi and Mombasa than in other areas and the suburbs. Therefore vaccination is a must for everyone including travelers. The vaccine is not given to anyone younger than nine months of age, pregnant or allergic to eggs. Yellow fever vaccination is followed by mild headaches, muscle aches and fevers.
Though yellow fever is a typical characteristic of the Kerio valley in Kenya ,that it can emerge as an urban nuisance should not be overlooked. Thus precautions against yellow fever in Kenya (both in rural and urban regions )is an absolute necessity.
|
