Garissa County and Save the Children Collaborate for Livestock Vaccination Drive In Ijara 

Ijara – The County Department of Veterinary Services is intensifying efforts to vaccinate livestock against Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in high-risk wards. In partnership with Save the Children (SCI), the department is focusing on enhancing the health of small stock by vaccinating, deworming against helminths, spraying against vectors, and providing educational messages on RVF to communities.

Veterinary teams have have deployed and successfully covered 150,000 small stock and aim to extend their reach to an additional 100,000 in high-risk areas. 

A technical backstopping team, comprised of senior staff from the Department of Livestock and Save the Children, visited one of the teams in Bula Qoqoon, Ijara Ward, to oversee the ongoing vaccination efforts.

The initiative by the county government and Save the Children is critical in safeguarding the health of livestock and preventing the spread of RVF. Pastoralist in the county have been sensitized on the importance of community engagement and comprehensive veterinary services.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) was last reported in Kenya in humans in Isiolo and Mandera counties and in animals in Isiolo, Mandera, Murang’a, and Garissa counties. As of February 4, 2021, there were a total of 32 human cases, with 14 confirmed positive cases, resulting in 11 deaths and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 34%.

On December 20, 2020, samples from suspected livestock, including sheep and goats from Masalani in Ijara Subcounty and Balambala in Balambala Subcounty, were collected for testing. The samples were confirmed positive for RVF on December 22 using Elisa IgM testing. Ongoing field investigations are being conducted to ascertain the extent of the outbreak and implement necessary measures.