Disease

Syphilis - Queensland, Australia

Three Aboriginal children have died from congenital syphilis in Queensland's worst outbreak in 30 years.

Since 2015, 167 new cases of congenital syphilis have been diagnosed in North Queensland, prompting Health Minister Cameron Dick to announce on Wednesday a five-year $15.7 million plan to tackle the sexually transmitted disease.

Congenital syphilis infects babies when a pregnant woman contracts the disease and passes it along to her child. It can be treated with penicillin if diagnosed early.

Chikungunya in Kenya

At least 540 people were on Wednesday admitted to various health facilities in Mandera County following an outbreak of Chikungunya fever, health officials said. Mandera Health chief officer Mariam Dubow said the number of patients is expected to go up as most schools were also affected.

The viral disease is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The disease causes fever and severe joint pains as well as fatigue and muscle pain. Other symptoms include headache, nausea and skin rashes.

The disease, which rarely causes death, may also manifest severe complications in some patients. These include renal and respiratory failure, acute hepatitis and cardiovascular decomposition.