MIGORI, Kenya (AP) — As the coffin bearing the body of Rosebella Awuor was lowered into the grave, heart-wrenching sobs from mourners filled the air. Her sister Winnie Akinyi, the guardian to Awuor’s orphaned son, fell to the ground, wailing.
It was the latest of five deaths in this family attributed to malaria. The disease is common in Kenya, and it is preventable and curable, but poverty makes it deadly for those who can’t afford treatment.
In the family’s compound in the western county of Migori, three other graves are visible, that of Awuor’s husband and their other two children who died from malaria before the age of 2.
Awuor, 31, fell ill in December and lost her five-month pregnancy before succumbing to malaria. Her 11-year-old son is the family’s only survivor.
Malaria is still a significant public health challenge in Kenya, though some progress may be coming. Parts of Kenya participated in an important pilot of the world’s first malaria vaccine, with a reported drop in deaths for children under 5. Kenya’s health ministry hasn’t said when the vaccine will be widely available.
Turkey says it has carried out new airstrikes against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq
North America witnesses total solar eclipse
Vo Thi Anh Xuan named as Vietnamese acting president
2 killed when a small plane headed to South Carolina crashes in Virginia, police say
China launches new relay satellite for Earth
Xi meets National Assembly of Vietnam chairman, urges strong sense of community with shared future
Jazz singer set to invoke the sound of the steppes
No, France did not deploy troops to fight with Ukraine against Russia
Lorenzen goes 5 innings in Texas debut as Rangers blank Tigers 1
Merlier wins Giro Stage 3 after Pogacar fires up finale and stays in the lead
Raymond scores late in 3rd and OT to keep Red Wings playoffs alive with 5