The Ministry of Health has intensified measures to contain dengue fever in Garissa and Wajir counties, where 1,678 cases have been reported as of August 26, including five suspected deaths in Garissa.
Garissa has recorded 1,583 cumulative reported cases, while Wajir has 95 laboratory-confirmed cases, according to the Ministry of Health.
Four of the suspected deaths occurred in Garissa Township, while one was reported in Lagadera.
The highest number of cases in Garissa has been reported in Dadaab, with 1,276 cases, followed by Garissa Township with 251 and Fafi with 56 cases.
In Wajir, Wajir East accounts for 85 of the 95 confirmed cases, representing 89.5 per cent of the county’s total. The remaining cases are distributed across Eldas, Wajir West, Wajir North, Wajir South, Tarbaj and Khorof Harar.
Children and adolescents aged between six months and 15 years account for 46 cases, or 48.4 per cent, of Wajir’s confirmed infections.
In a press release today, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki, said that the ministry has fully activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and is working with county governments and partners to strengthen surveillance, case detection, laboratory confirmation and treatment.
Health facilities in affected areas have been placed on high alert, with suspected dengue samples being referred to the national reference laboratory for confirmation.
The Ministry is also prioritising the investigation and classification of severe cases and suspected deaths, while strengthening case management and infection prevention and control measures in health facilities.
We have intensified risk communication and community engagement, urging residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect themselves from daytime mosquito bites,” she said.
Dengue is mainly transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, which commonly bite during the day and breed in small collections of stagnant water.
Households and institutions have been advised to empty, scrub and tightly cover water-storage containers at least once a week and dispose of items such as bottles, tins and tyres that can collect water.
Residents have also been urged to clear blocked drains, use mosquito repellents, wear long clothing and install window and door screens, particularly during the day.
The PS has called upon people experiencing fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting or rash to seek medical attention promptly.
Urgent medical care should also be sought in cases of severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, and breathing difficulties, extreme weakness, restlessness or rapid deterioration.
For fever, the Ministry recommends using paracetamol as directed by a health professional and cautions against using aspirin or ibuprofen, which may increase the risk of bleeding.
Although no new cases have been reported since the latest county updates, Muriuki said that sustained surveillance remains essential before interruption of transmission can be verified.
The ministry, the PS said, will continue working with county governments, health facilities, community health teams and partners to maintain clinical readiness, laboratory confirmation, vector control and timely public information.
By Wangari Ndirangu
