Turkana County Strengthens Measures to Prevent Yellow Fever Outbreaks
Lodwar, July 2, 2024 – The Star
Turkana County Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, has intensified preparations to prevent yellow fever transmission in the region.
The county was listed in 2022 by the National Government as being at potential risk for yellow fever due to cross-border movement from Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, where the disease has been reported.
Turkana County Chief Officer for Medical Services, Gilchrist Lokoel, confirmed that two suspected cases were recorded in April 2022, but laboratory tests conducted by KEMRI returned negative results.
Currently, we have not encountered any confirmed yellow fever cases, but we remain vigilant. We are committed to protecting our residents through vaccination and active surveillance, said Lokoel.
Yellow fever, a viral disease transmitted by daytime-biting infected mosquitoes, presents with symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, loss of appetite, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to death.
Lokoel emphasized that the yellow fever vaccine is available at designated centres, including border exit points, and is recommended for travelers to at-risk areas. The county also conducts routine vaccination for children under one year and travelers.
Active surveillance is ongoing across all health facilities, and vector control measures similar to malaria prevention are in place, Lokoel added. He noted the county continues to raise awareness among healthcare workers, community health promoters, and the public.
Philip Kinyota, Associate Director for Social Behavior Change and Communications at CBCC, said the organization, in partnership with UNICEF Kenya and the National Vaccine and Immunization Programme (NVIP), promotes vaccination from childhood to adulthood through multimedia campaigns.
Kinyota highlighted challenges affecting vaccine uptake, including parental fears, cultural and religious beliefs, misinformation, and hesitancy among adolescents, particularly regarding COVID-19 and HPV vaccines.
To boost coverage, caregivers and young people have been positioned as social and peer influencers. Campaigns currently target 31 counties, including Elgeyo Marakwet, Lamu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Machakos, Nyandarua, and Nyeri.
The county government remains committed to curbing yellow fever through vaccination, community engagement, and robust surveillance to safeguard public health.