Yellow fever outbreak in Kenya: A review

Yellow fever (YF) is a viral acute hemorrhagic illness caused by infected mosquitoes of the flavivirus family. The first yellow fever outbreak in Kenya was in 1992. Similar outbreaks were recorded in the western part of the country in 1993, 1995, and 2011, particularly in the Rift Valley province of Kenya. In early 2022, the viral acute illness resurfaced and hit Kenya. On January 12, 2022, the first case was discovered, with over 14 patients suffering from fever, jaundice, and joint and muscle pains. On March 4, 2022, a yellow fever outbreak re-emerged in Kenya, affecting 11 wards in Isiolo County. The fatality rate recorded was 11.3% (six deaths), with Chari accounting for 39.6% of the total 21 cases, Cherab 14 (26.4%), and 5 Garba Tulla (9.4%).

This has the potential to further endanger the nation's economic growth while also negatively impacting people's daily lives in a part of the world that is already dealing with the catastrophic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. However, there is no curative therapy for yellow fever. The only options for curbing its spread are through vaccination and preventive measures.

Hence, Kenya's government must take responsibility for requiring vaccination of its citizens, implement an active national disease surveillance protocol, and set up anti-yellow fever campaigns in the country.