Tanzania death toll from Rift Valley fever tops 100

GENEVA, May 10 (Reuters) Rift Valley fever has killed 109 people in Tanzania since January, taking the toll from a recent outbreak in east Africa, including Kenya and Somalia, to 315, the World Health Organisation has said.

The United Nations health agency said yesterday 264 cases had been detected in Tanzania between Jan. 13 and May 3, with a mortality rate of 41 percent. It is the first time in a decade that the highly contagious disease has been reported in the country.

Without any vaccine or treatment, it can cause severe haemorrhaging, leading the victim to vomit blood or even bleed to death.

Transmitted through mosquito bites or close contact with contaminated animals, the disease first hit remote areas of Kenya in late November last year.

Kenya reported 684 cases between Nov. 30 and March 12, with 155 deaths.

There were a further 114 cases and 51 deaths between December and February in Somalia, where the recent fighting has hampered disease surveillance and control, the WHO said.

Reuters RJ DB1001