Tanzania death toll from Rift Valley fever tops 100
Pastor Dale Morgan
Tanzania death toll from Rift Valley fever tops 100*
09 May 2007 16:01:38 GMT
Source: Reuters
GENEVA, May 9 (Reuters) - Rift Valley fever has killed 109 people in
Tanzania since January, taking the toll from a recent outbreak in east
Africa, including Kenya and Somalia, to 315, the World Health
Organisation said on Wednesday.
The United Nations health agency said 264 cases had been detected in
Tanzania between Jan. 13 and May 3, with a mortality rate of 41 percent.
It is the first time in a decade that the highly contagious disease has
been reported in the country.
Without any vaccine or treatment, it can cause severe haemorrhaging,
leading the victim to vomit blood or even bleed to death.
Transmitted through mosquito bites or close contact with contaminated
animals, the disease first hit remote areas of Kenya in late November
last year.
Kenya reported 684 cases between Nov. 30 and March 12, with 155 deaths.
There were a further 114 cases and 51 deaths between December and
February in Somalia, where the recent fighting has hampered disease
surveillance and control, the WHO said.