Leishmaniasis in Kenya (Update 2)
20 Aug 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO)
reports that there have been 1 986 cases of leishmaniasis, from week 1 to week 31 in 2019. Marsabit county has reported 1 716 suspected cases with 19 deaths. Wajir County has reported 261 suspected cases with 7 deaths. Since 29 June 2019, Garissa County has reported 9 confirmed cases with 1 death.
Advice for Travellers
There is no vaccine against human leishmaniasis.
Travellers to rural and/or forested/jungle areas of regions where the infection is present will be most at risk.
Travellers should be advised to avoid Sandfly bites by:
- Avoiding outdoor activities after dusk where possible.
- Covering skin with clothing where possible.
- Consider permethrin impregnation of clothing when outdoor activity is unavoidable.
- Using insect repellent e.g. DEET on exposed skin.
- Sleeping under insecticide-impregnated bednets (fine mesh size is required) or in air-conditioned rooms.
- Using fans/ventilators which disrupt the movement of sandflies and sleeping elevated from the floor; sandflies are weak fliers.
For more information see Leishmaniasis.