The deadly Zika virus, which almost crippled the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, has been detected in Kenya for the first time.
Between 2016 and 2017, some 215,319 Zika infections were reported in Brazil with 2,347 infants born with head deformities in a condition known as microcephaly.
Local researchers say they have found the Zika virus among people in Turkana and West Pokot counties. This is the first ever recorded in Kenya.
About 877 samples were taken and 34 came back positive. Specifically one from Turkana and 33 from West Pokot.
A team from the Ministry of Health, International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and JKUAT confirmed the findings.
The virus is mostly common among people of 14-20 years.
Common symptoms of Zika virus:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea diarrhoea
- Pain in the joints and muscles
- Skin rash
- Loss of appetite
- Fever Chills
The Aedes mosquito unlike other mosquitos, it is mostly active in the morning and during sunset hours.
Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which can also transmit chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.