Kenya: Dengue fever outbreak in Mombasa and Wajir counties /update 1

Event

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 582 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed and 1015 further suspected cases have been detected in Mombasa and Wajir counties as of June 16.The outbreak was first declared on May 7, with 119 cases reported at that time. One fatality has been confirmed.

Health officials warned that there may be an increase in rates of dengue fever and other mosquito- or water-borne diseases during the rainy season (April to June).

Context

Dengue fever was reported for the first time in Mombasa in 2013.

Dengue fever outbreaks occur regularly, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Symptoms of classic dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, nausea, and rash. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, the enlargement of the liver and hemorrhaging.

Advice

Individuals present in Mombasa and Wajir counties are advised to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites (e.g. by wearing non-revealing clothing, using insect repellent, and sleeping in a screened-in or air conditioned room) and to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds (small pockets of fresh water, such as rain water that has collected in cans, bottles, tires, flower pots, clogged gutters, etc.).