Mombasa County has heightened disease surveillance and activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre following a spike in Mpox (monkeypox) cases in June and July, health officials confirmed.
The county now accounts for 98 of the 226 cases reported nationally, making it the current epicentre of the outbreak. Tragically, two people have died from the viral disease. The majority of infections have been reported in Nyali and Changamwe sub-counties, with the youngest patient being just 12 years old.
In response, the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (Utange branch) has been designated as the isolation and treatment centre. Currently, 24 patients are hospitalised, and a total of 159 samples have been tested — with 98 returning positive, 60 negative, and one pending.
“What is happening right now — there is a lot of active community transmission,” said Mohammed Anith, a Public Health Official. “It is because the community has not accepted that it is already within the community.”
Health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as unexplained rashes or skin lesions.
“Kwa hivyo tunahamasisha jamii: ukipata rashes au upele ambao hauelewi, enda katika kituo kilichoko karibu uhakikishe umeonekana na daktari,” advised Fatma Ali, County Health Emergency Response Officer.
The county has deployed trained personnel across Mombasa to manage the outbreak. Public health partners, including USAID Stawisha, are also calling for increased public awareness and community engagement.
“I would like to see the public taking precautions and also talking about Mpox enough, because people feel Mpox is not very risky,” said Vincent Omoth, Technical Advisor at USAID Stawisha.
Residents are advised to practise proper hygiene, avoid close contact with infected individuals, and report any suspected symptoms to the nearest health facility.
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