AFRICA/KENYA - Thousands of people infected by an epidemic of dengue

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Over one thousand people have been infected by an epidemic of dengue outbreak in the town of Mandera, in northeastern Kenya, near the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia. The Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) speak of 4 deaths. In a statement on behalf of WHO says that the rate of infection is high, but fortunately, deaths are limited. Breeding ground for the mosquito vector is the contribution of the river Dawa that crosses Mandera. In addition, it is useless to have night mosquito nets at night and insecticides of a different nature, which have become resistant when the disease-carrying insect bite happens during the day. The health authorities have alerted all the neighboring districts and activated public awareness campaigns. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 30/09/2011)