Hepatitis triggers scare in North Rift

Health officials have raised the red flag on the spread of Hepatitis B in the North Rift.

The officials called on the national government to help contain the disease that has claimed several lives in Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo.

The viral disease that spreads through body fluids is said to be steadily spreading in the region.

Expensive Hepatitis B vaccine, according health experts, is derailing efforts to curb spread of the disease and has also exposed the counties’ lack of adequate resources to contain outbreaks.

Official statistics

“The cost of vaccination is high. It is not an outbreak as such, but the high costs may result in more deaths,” said Dr Faraj Some, an expert at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.

Experts are still trying to identify the disease’s trigger point.

“We suspect that the disease is prevalent in parts of the Kerio Valley,” said Dr Some.

There are no official statistics on the status of the disease in Kenya.

“There are no official statistics on the number of Kenyans suffering from Hepatitis B but the number of chronic cases in on the rise. The virus can survive in the body for many years. It can also progress into liver cancer.”

The infection rate is high among health workers because of close contact with infected persons.

Blood transfusion

Individuals also contract the disease through blood transfusion, unprotected sex, sharing toothbrush and sharp unsterilised objects such as needles.

Its symptoms include mild fever, headache, lack of appetite, vomiting, stomach pains and general body weakness.

Lack of information is hampering efforts to contain the spread.

“People do not have information on how to avoid contracting Hepatitis B,” said Sandai location chief Michael Chepkuto.