The Senate Committee on Health is set to investigate an outbreak of the deadly Kala-azar disease also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis in Marsabit County.
The move follows a statement sought by Marsabit County Senator Mohammed Chute over the outbreak of the deadly disease with senators questioning the status of health care in the county.
If not treated the disease causes severe organ damage and is fatal in over 95% of cases according to the World Health Organization.
What is Visceral Leishmaniasis?
Leishmaniasis is caused by a protozoa parasite from over 20 Leishmania species. Over 90 sandfly species are known to transmit Leishmania parasites.
There are three main forms of the disease:
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is fatal if left untreated in over 95pc of cases.
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common form and causes skin lesions, mainly ulcers, on exposed parts of the body.
- Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis leads to partial or total destruction of mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat.
How is it transmitted?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the Leishmania parasites are normally transmitted through the bites of infected female phlebotomine sandflies, which feed on blood to produce eggs.
Some 70 animal species, including humans, can be the source of Leishmania parasites.
Source: WHO
