Widespread flooding in Kenya is helping to spread what could be a new variant of the fatal Rift Valley Fever.

Doctors say it is out of control and may spread to other parts of Africa.

The disease, which is concentrated around the town of Garissa, in North Eastern Kenya, has already killed 600 people and thousands of animals.

A deadly virus could be out of control in East Africa. Rift Valley Fever has killed 600 people, and herds of animals in north east Kenya and in southern Somalia constitutes an international emergency and could spread to other parts of the continent.

Rift Valley Fever is spread by mosquitoes to animals but affects humans when they come into contact with infected blood or meat. There is no cure and victims usually die within a week, doctors say.

The Ministry of Health confirmed more than 350 deaths since the fever broke out late last year known only as "the mystery disease."

On Saturday, World Health Organisation said the disease has spread from northeastern Kenya to Coastal, Eastern and Central provinces and warned visitors to protect themselves from the mosquitoes that ferry the fever-causing virus from infected animals to humans.

An outbreak along Indian Ocean coast could deal a blow to Kenya's vital tourism industry, still reeling from negative publicity after politically inspired violence among Kenyans in August.

In 1977-78 in Egypt, a severe outbreak of the fever, which takes its name from the geological fault that runs north and south from Jordan to Mozambique, killed about 600 people. Across the border in the Somali town of Luq, 70 people are believed to have died from the disease.

The torrential rains have also hampered medical investigation.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©