Rift Valley fever in North East Kenya

20 Jun 2018

According to Kenyan media quoting local public health authorities  at least 13 people have died in an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Wajir and Marsabit Counties in the north east of Kenya. Those who died are believed to have eaten meat from infected animals.  

Advice for Travellers

There is no commercially available human vaccine against this infection at present.

• Travellers should be aware of the risk from livestock such as cattle, goats and sheep and avoid contact with ruminant animals, particularly if slaughter, butchering and birthing is taking place.
• Travellers should avoid mosquito bites (particularly in rural and farming areas) by covering skin with clothing, using insect repellent on exposed skin and sleeping under a mosquito net impregnated with insecticide. 
• Travellers should always refrain from consuming unpasteurised or uncooked milk and not partake of raw or undercooked meat that has not been properly verified. 

For further information see Rift Valley Fever.