Is Jakadala, a Possible New STD Spreading in Kenya, Truly a Hoax?

Have you ever heard of the slogan “AIDS is Real”? That phrase was coined because there was a time when a lot of people thought the news of HIV/AIDS was nothing but a cheap rumor – a propaganda to create fear in the minds of people and curb promiscuity in society – but they were wrong.

Indeed, AIDS was real and was not a hoax as many thought it to be.

Even the great pan-African and revolutionary Nigerian music legend, Fela Kuti who would later die from AIDS never believed disease was real.

What the case of HIV/AIDS has taught us among many things is that there is no smoke without fire and that every claim especially those relating to health issues should be handled with all seriousness and thoroughly investigated before they are dismissed as false.

There have been horrifying video clips and photos of people with cancerous-like growths around the private parts circulating around social media which citizens claim to be victims of a newly discovered sexually transmitted disease called Jakadala.

While we all agree that social media is a breeding ground for fake news that often causes uncertainty and panic in society; one thing is certain in this case – there is a disease in town and these symptoms are rare compared to what is experienced by a victim is suffering from any of the common STDs.

Medical officials in Migori county in Kenya where the disease was reported to be spreading like wild fire have released a report saying that the claims of a new Sexually Transmitted Infection in the area dubbed 'Jakadala' is a hoax.

The Migori health department said it dispatched medical officials to the eight sub-counties to carry out investigations on the reports of the disease nicknamed 'Jakadala’ and found out that there were no patients suffering from STD in all the public and private health facilities; but is this enough reason to dub the claims as false?

Speaking on the development, Dr. Iscar Oluoch, the county Health Department executive said:

"The assurance from our surveillance teams is encouraging. We do not have 'Jakadala' in Migori. The finding should now put to rest rumors that had caused panic among the residents."

While saying that the news should be treated as a rumor, she urged citizens to stick to one partner and avoid unprotected sex.

What are your thoughts?

Header Image Credit: Health Matters