Ministry of Health Confirms second Case of Yellow Fever in Kenya

Kenya’s Ministry of Health on Thursday confirmed a second case of Yellow Fever in Nairobi’s South C area.

The first case was confirmed on 15th March at the Kenyatta National Hospital according to Dr. Kioko Jackson, Acting Director of Medical Services.

The case involved a 31-year-old Kenyan male who arrived in Kenya on 12th March through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Angola, which is the epicenter of the ongoing Yellow Fever Virus outbreak.

Twelve hours later he presented to a private health facility in Eastleigh – Nairobi with fever, joint pains and bleeding tendencies. The clinician suspected hemorrhagic fever and transferred the patient to KNH where he later developed jaundice, confusion and kidney failure. Laboratory tests conducted at KEMRI tested positive for Yellow Fever IgM antibodies and negative for Ebola and Marburg. He later succumbed to multi-organ failure.

Dr.Kioko however, notes that,” This is an imported case and the likelihood of local transmission is low.”

He urges, Health workers at Points of Entry have been ordered to ensure that all travelers from Yellow fever high risk countries (including Angola) have valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificates that will be used to confirm whether they have been vaccinated against the disease.

Since the beginning of March, 2,718 passengers have been screened at JKIA alone, and 6 people from the affected country were denied entry due to lack of proof for yellow fever vaccination.

The Public has been urged to be on the lookout so and report any case of anyone with the history of travel to Angola presenting with acute onset fever, followed by jaundice within two weeks of onset of first symptoms.

They have further been asked to investigate any unusual clustering of febrile illness or any unexplained deaths. They can also conduct active suspected yellow fever case search in all health facilities and communities for missed unreported cases and also strengthen surveillance activities up to the village level so as to ensure that up to 100 per cent cases have been reported.

Kenya has not had cases of Yellow fever for ages, as the last case of the virus was reported in 1992. The Ministry of Health has promised that they are working towards containing it at all costs.

Yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once contracted, the virus incubates in the body for three to six days, followed by illness whose symptoms include fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, shivers, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting.

Vaccination is the single most important measure for preventing yellow fever. The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America.

Kenyans can also call the Disease Surveillance Unit on 0729 471414 or 0732 353535.