World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an alarm over a fresh outbreak of chikungunya cases, warning that the mosquito-borne virus is on the rise in Kenya especially on the coast.
At least 25 people have been confirmed to have caught the disease in Mombasa, after 45 samples analyzed by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) last June. Affected constituencies include Mvita, Nyali, Kisauni, and Likoni, according to health officials.
“This is not the first time we’re seeing this virus, the numbers are small now, but they could rise quickly.”
Globally, WHO says about 5.6 billion people live in areas at risk of chikungunya, which causes a range of symptoms mostly fever, rash, and painful joints that can last for weeks or even months.
Speaking from Geneva, WHO’s Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez said the current pattern feels like déjà vu. “We saw this happen back in 2004 and 2005 cases began in the Indian Ocean islands and spread far beyond. It’s looking similar now,” she said.
That past outbreak infected nearly half a million people before spreading to Europe and Asia.This year, new cases were recorded in La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius places that were at the centre of the previous crisis.
Here in Kenya, the disease is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes that are active during the day making them harder to avoid unlike malaria-carrying mosquitoes that bite at night.
The condition is often managed by rest, fluids, and painkillers as there is no cure yet. Paracetamol is administered to relieve fever and joint pain.
County officials urge residents to take extra care. “Use repellent, cover your skin, and make sure windows and doors are screened and use the net while napping during the day ,” said a Mombasa-based doctor.
