By Betty Luke
A One-Health approach aimed at curbing infectious diseases in Isiolo has been unveiled after a recent surveillance showed presence of Rift Valley Fever in animals within Garbatulla Sub-County.
The approach helps optimize the health of humans, animals and ecosystems and is being spearheaded by officers from the county’s Health, Livestock and Environment departments and international organisations.
The officers who were deployed to Garbatulla and Merti Sub-Counties will undertake public sensitization on precautionary measures to stem spread of the contagious virus that claimed seven lives in the county in 2021.
Rift Valley fever is a viral zoonotic disease, caused by the RVF virus, which primarily affects livestock but can also be transmitted to human beings by coming into contact with products from a contaminated animal or through bites by infected mosquitoes.
Deputy Governor James Lowasa said the programme would see residents trained on the best approaches to adopt while handling animals to ensure they are safe from the disease.
“Due to the pastoral nature of the communities, the majority of them are at risk of contracting the disease. We seek to enlighten them on how to handle meat, young ones of animals and carcasses in case an animal dies to ensure their safety,” Dr Lowasa, who doubles as the Health Executive Member told journalists in Isiolo town.
Dr Lowasa also announced that the national government had issued out RVF vaccine doses for animals which would greatly reinforce the efforts to help curb the spread of the disease.
He added that the 750 Community Health Workers in different parts of the county would greatly help in the sensitization efforts and monitoring the spread of the disease.
The deputy Governor also called on the residents to properly handle food from animal products to ensure their safety not only from RVF but also other diseases associated with animal products.
“Ensure you cook your meat and boil milk properly to avoid contamination. We cannot ban meat consumption because that is what most of us depend on but we must handle animal products properly to evade the health risks,” he cautioned.
The county government has partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP), Amref Health Africa (Kenya), Action Against Hunger (ACF), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) among others organisations.
Amref Health Africa (Kenya) project coordinator Hellen Garabi said the One-Health initiative, which is the first in the country, would help safeguard human health.
“We are committed to working jointly with the county government and other well-wishers to ensure the residents are safe from diseases,” she said.
