Kenya Announces Outbreak Of Dengue Fever In Coast Region

Kenya’s health authorities have announced the outbreak of dengue fever in the coastal region. Mombasa County Director of Health, Khadija Shikelly, said 119 cases had been confirmed in all six sub-counties following rapid diagnostic test kits conducted at the hospitals in Mombasa.

Shikelly said that Kisauni had the highest number of case, 37, followed by Mvita, 25, Changamwe 21 and Likoni 21.

She said there was no record of any death from the fever this year. Last year, three people died of the fever.

“This is to notify you that there is dengue fever outbreak in Mombasa County and we, therefore, need to respond effectively and in a coordinated approach to contain the outbreak,” Shikelly.

County officials last week warned that the onset of the long rains could spur water and vector-borne disease.

Symptoms of the disease include a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash.

Heavy rains in the region are said to have created new breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which are the vectors transmitting the disease to humans.