Garissa Launches Major Fumigation Drive After Dengue Outbreak Infects Hundreds

By Issa Hussein - Reporter

May 29, 2026 - Garissa County has launched a massive fumigation exercise to contain the spread of dengue fever following an outbreak that has infected hundreds of residents and left several admitted to Garissa County Referral Hospital.

The two-week exercise, which began on Thursday, targets drainage systems, schools, markets, public institutions and residential areas within Garissa Township in a bid to eliminate mosquitoes responsible for spreading the viral disease.

Health officials confirmed that laboratory tests conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory detected dengue fever in samples collected from patients across public and private health facilities in the town.

Speaking during the launch of the exercise, Hassan Abdullahi, who represented the Medical Officer of Health, said 28 out of 40 samples tested positive for dengue fever, confirming an outbreak in Garissa.

“For the last one month, samples were taken to the National Public Health Laboratory. Out of the 40 samples collected, 28 tested positive, representing about 70 per cent. This confirms that we have an outbreak of dengue fever within the town,” said Abdullahi.

He said the county had already activated public awareness campaigns through community health promoters, public health officers and health assistants to educate residents on prevention measures.

“Today marks the launch of this fumigation exercise, which will continue for the next two weeks. We will visit all institutions, public areas and drainage systems to ensure they are fumigated. We hope to reach almost the entire population by the end of the 14 days,” he said.

Abdullahi urged residents to maintain clean surroundings by draining stagnant water, clearing bushes and properly disposing of waste to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

Garissa County Director of Health Aden Hassan assured residents that the county government had put in place measures to contain the outbreak and appealed to the public to remain calm.

“I want to make it very clear that we have not recorded any deaths related to this particular virus. We have recorded around 1,900 cases so far,” said Hassan.

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He said the county had intensified health education campaigns to sensitise residents on how dengue fever spreads and ways of protecting themselves.

“As a department, we are doing everything possible to ensure that the disease is controlled. We have undertaken public education to inform the community about how to prevent dengue fever, and we are also carrying out fumigation within the town,” he said.

Hassan noted that children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions were among the most vulnerable groups.

However, he said the success of the campaign would depend heavily on cooperation from residents.

“We encourage residents to eliminate stagnant water around their homes, properly cover water storage containers, clear bushes around their compounds, and use mosquito nets, repellents and protective clothing. The success of dengue fever control depends on strong community cooperation with public health teams,” he added.

The fumigation campaign comes amid growing concern among residents and local leaders over the rising number of infections.

During Eid al-Adha prayers at the Rtd. General Mohamud Eid Grounds in Garissa Town, religious leaders urged the county government to intensify fumigation and public awareness campaigns, warning that many residents were still unaware of how the disease spreads.

They said several people were battling the illness at home and in hospitals and called for urgent intervention to prevent the situation from escalating further.