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.
Leak from Indiana fertilizer tank results in 10
Screenwriter Chen Yu amazed by young filmmakers
2 horses fall and unseat their jockeys in 2nd race at Churchill Downs
Middle school focuses on recovery as authorities investigate shooting of armed student
Maternal deaths have fallen to pre
North Carolina boy, 18, wins $2million on one of the first scratch
China's film industry seeks financial solutions
Today's campus protests aren't nearly as big or violent as those last century
An inquiry into a building fire in South Africa that killed 76 finds city authorities responsible
Film executives on developing IPs and reaching global audiences
Shocking moment Pennsylvania man pulls a gun on pastor in front of horrified congregation
Georgia governor signs law adding regulations for production and sale of herbal supplement kratom