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Leishmaniasis in Kenya

18 April 2019

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported a total of 171 cases of Leishmaniasis so far this year (2019). Marsabit has reported 136 cases with 53 positives by RDT rk39 and Wajir county has reported 35 cases.

Advice for Travellers

All travellers to endemic regions should be made aware of Leishmania and its transmission.

Travellers should be advised to avoid sandfly bites by:

  • Avoiding outdoor activities after dusk where possible.
  • Covering skin with clothing where possible.
    • Consider permethrin impregnation of clothing when outdoor activity is unavoidable.
  • Using insect repellent e.g. DEET on exposed skin.
  • Sleeping under insecticide-impregnated bed nets (fine mesh size is required) or in air-conditioned rooms.
  • Using fans/ventilators which disrupt the movement of sandflies and sleeping elevated from the floor; sandflies are weak fliers.

There is no vaccine against human leishmaniasis.

For further information see Leishmaniasis.