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Kenya scientists suspect anthrax as epidemic cause
Copyright ) 1997 Nando.net
Copyright ) 1997 Reuters
NAIROBI (December 27, 1997 11:42 a.m. EST http://www.nando.net) -
Scientists are investigating whether the anthrax bacteria is responsible
for an epidemic that has killed at least 143 people in three months in
Kenya's North Eastern province.
"We are trying to put the priority on ruling out anthrax. Anthrax is
what we suspect is the cause," on Saturday said Peter Tukei, a medical
doctor and senior virologist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
The aid agency Amref also said it was testing blood and stool samples in
an attempt to to rule out anthrax as a leading suspect for the disease.
At least 143 people have died in North Eastern province since October,
at the start of severe flooding linked to the El Nino climatic
phenomenon.
Newspapers reported on Saturday a further 28 people had been killed by
the disease in North Eastern province's Garissa district in the last 24
hours.
Regional government officials earlier blamed a strain of malaria for the
epidemic.
Victims have complained of a variety of symptoms including vomiting,
diarrhoea and severe headaches.
The deadly anthrax bacteria, which usually affects slaughterhouse
workers, spreads from the carcasses of animals to humans via contact.
Severe floods have increased the animal death toll, leading to possible
contamination of humans forced to drink water infected by animal
carcasses, Tukei told Reuters.
He stressed it was not yet possible to give a definitive explanation for
the disease.
The Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control, the U.N. World Health
Organisation and aid agencies are working with government health
officials in an attempt to identify the disease.
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