9). Our findings are limited by the high C
t values ( 35) of all cases, a level which some experts might not consider to be positive. However, because these patients had C
t values 40 for 3 distinct MERS-CoV genes, we feel confident that these are unlikely to be false positive results. Researchers have observed low upper respiratory tract RNA concentrations in asymptomatic patients and contacts of MERS-CoV patients (
14). In contrast to studies conducted in the Middle East, we found no evidence of human-to-human transmission; a total of 20 household members of the 3 patients tested negative for MERS-CoV before and after their household member’s diagnosis. However, we might have missed some infections that occurred between follow-up visits. Furthermore, not all household members were enrolled in the study. In addition, serologic assessment of MERS-CoV T-cell responses might detect mild and asymptomatic MERS-CoV cases (
Rift Valley Fever outbreak adds to pastoralists’ woes
Wednesday March 10 2021
By KEVIN ROTICH
Summary
Outbreaks of the disease in Africa are associated with periods of above-average rainfall, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The projected heavy rains starting this month, present an additional danger amid fear that it could escalate outbreaks of the disease caused by a virus that infects both animals and humans and eventually results in death.
The highly infectious disease is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes or close contact with contaminated animals’ blood or organs, according to the WHO.
Even before the onset of this year’s long rains, the deadly Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is proving a menace in two pastoral counties of Isiolo and Marsabit where an outbreak has been reported.
Health & Science - By
Graham Kajilwa | March 8th 2021 at 05:00:00 GMT +0300
Kenya might be staring at the possibility of a third wave of Covid-19 as the last three weeks have shown a steady rise in the number of positive cases.
The number of patients in need of critical care has also increased.
The country on March 4 reported 528 new cases of Covid-19 from a sample size of 6,291, a testing positivity rate of 8.4 per cent.
The last time a triple-figure of new cases was reported was at the height of the second wave in November and December. Covid 19 Time Series
Experts are blaming the rise in new cases on reopening of schools, which has seen students from different socio-economic backgrounds mixing.
From 5,250 reported cases of cervical cancer in Kenya last year, 3,286 women died, making it the top killer variant among women.
But the study at the Nairobi Cancer Registry at the Kenya Medical Research Institute and Eldoret Registry at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) found that Kenya offers the best cervical cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study compared the quality of care in nine African countries.
“By country, the proportion of patients receiving cancer treatment with curative potential varied from four per cent in Maputo (Mozambique) to 49 per cent in Nairobi.”
Overall, the study decries the low survival rates in Africa at 29 per cent, five years after treatment compared with 67 per cent in the US.
THE STANDARD
OPINION
Pediatrician Lucy Kipkemei prepares the covid vaccine at Kenyatta National Hospital. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
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