The Mombasa County Government has heightened its public health surveillance and reactivated the Emergency Operations Centre following a sharp rise in Mpox cases during the months of June and July.
So far, two people have succumbed to the viral disease, with Mombasa accounting for 98 out of the 226 confirmed cases nationwide. Most cases are concentrated in the Nyali and Changamwe sub-counties, with the youngest patient reported being just 12 years old.
In response, the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital – Utange branch – has been designated as the official isolation centre. Currently, 24 patients are admitted, and out of 159 samples tested, 98 have returned positive results.
“What is happening right now is a lot of active community transmission,” said Mohammed Anith, a County Public Health Official. “The challenge is that the community has not yet accepted that the virus is already among us.”
County Health Emergency Response Officer Fatma Ali urged residents to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention if they develop unexplained rashes or skin lesions. “Tunahamasisha jamii: ukipata upele ambao haueleweki, enda katika kituo kilicho karibu,” she advised.
Vincent Omoth, a Technical Advisor with the USAID Stawisha Program, echoed the call for public awareness, saying, “People tend to downplay the risk of Mpox. We must talk about it more and take the necessary precautions.”
The County Health Department has deployed specially trained personnel across the city to support ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak and protect the public.
As the situation unfolds, authorities continue to urge Mombasa residents to remain cautious, observe hygiene protocols, and report any symptoms promptly.
