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.
Adams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa America
NZDF mission in Red Sea has 'shades of Iraq'
Chinese troops deployed in 'significant numbers' amid border tensions with India
China's Hubei eases coronavirus curbs
Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed
Wilmer Valderrama talks NCIS franchise's 1,000th episode, show's enduring legacy
Worldwide coronavirus deaths exceed 16,500
Hundreds of lizards seized in Australia police bust
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Hong Kong: Trump says USA to revoke special status over China treaty 'violation'
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Coronavirus update: Italy to get aid from Germany, Spain's death rate passes China's