Siaya on high alert after one person dies from Rift Valley Fever

Siaya County Government’s health department has issued an alert after one person died of Rift Valley Fever.

This comes barely hours after Marsabit County also reported 13 deaths from a similar outbreak.

Tana Delta is also under a quarantine after cases of Rift Valley Fever emerged.

The 20-year-old man who died on Wednesday had sought treatment at the Siaya County Referral Hospital; he complained of fever and bleeding from different parts of his body.

According to the County’s acting Chief Officer of Health Samuel Omondi Owino, the man died while undergoing treatment.

In a statement to media houses, Dr. Owino indicated that the deceased had been sick at home for the last one week.

He had been getting treatment at a local health center before being referred to the county referral hospital.

Samples taken to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratories in Kisumu revealed that the patient died from Rift Valley Fever, the health officer added.

Rift Valley Fever is a livestock disease that usually affects cattle and sheep but can also be contracted by human beings though in very rare occasions, he said.

He however allayed fears over Ebola and Marburg viruses saying they were also tested from the sample but results were negative.

Dr. Omondi has advised the members of the public to ensure they don’t directly handle sick animals or slaughter them without alerting veterinary or public health officers to avert more deaths.