Kaabong district: Hepatitis E rate drops

By Olandason Wanyama

The rate of Hepatitis E infections has reduced in Kaabong, the district health officer, Dr. James Kisambu, said on Friday.

“The Hepatitis E virus that has caused havoc in the district since its inception three years ago has greatly reduced,” he noted.

“In the past, the health team would register at least 15 new cases weekly. However, only four cases were registered last month,” he added.

Kisambu said the last death due to the disease was registered in September last year.

That death brought to 32 the total number of people who had died of the virus in Kaabong since 2009.

Kisambu said more than 3,000 cumulative cases had been registered in the last three years.

Kisambu attributed the decrease in the rate of infection to sensitisation. The sensitisation, he said, focused on latrine usage and safe drinking water.

He noted that personal hygiene among residents of Kaabong is low, saying the pit-latrine coverage is 16% against the national coverage of 71%.