An evolving Malaria epidemic in Kenya: A regional alert

Abstract

Malaria has for a long time been a killer disease worldwide and presents a major health challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa. [1] Kenya has witnessed declining malaria prevalence from 11% in 2010 to 8% in 2015 with indications that this could decline further. [2] This commendable progress has been shuttered by recent reports of new and severe malaria epidemic in September–October 2017 that started in five counties and has quickly spread to 10 counties within semi‐arid regions of Kenya. These are Marsabit, Baringo, Samburu, West Pokot, Turkana in the northwestern region; Mandera, Isiolo, Wajir in the northern region; and Lamu and Tana River in the coastal region of the country.