By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, 28 August 2026 - The Ministry of Health has intensified its response following a surge in dengue fever cases in Garissa and Wajir counties, which have recorded a combined 1,678 cases as of August 26.
In a statement on Friday, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed that Garissa has recorded 1,583 cumulative reported cases, while Wajir has reported 95 laboratory-confirmed cases.
Muthoni specifically noted that children and adolescents aged 6 months to 15 years accounted for almost half of the cases in Wajir County.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection common in tropical and subtropical regions that causes high fever and severe flu-like symptoms. It is transmitted mainly through bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), most people who get dengue do not have symptoms. For those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Most recover within 1–2 weeks. Some develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital.
Muthoni has assured that the ministry has fully activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre while enhancing surveillance, active screening, investigation and reporting of suspected cases and suspected deaths.
Health facilities in affected areas have also been placed on high alert, while suspected dengue samples are being referred to the national reference laboratory for confirmation.
Muthoni has further assured that the government is strengthening case management and infection prevention and control measures in affected health facilities, alongside risk communication and community engagement campaigns.
To prevent the rapid spread of the disease, the ministry has urged households, institutions and communities to empty, scrub and tightly cover water-storage containers at least once a week, dispose of items such as bottles, tins and tyres that can collect water, and clear blocked drains.
The ministry urged people experiencing symptoms including fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting or rash to seek medical care promptly.
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Furthermore, people with severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, breathing difficulties, extreme weakness, restlessness or rapid deterioration have been encouraged to seek urgent medical attention.
"Although no new cases have been reported since the latest county updates, sustained surveillance remains essential before interruption of transmission can be verified. The Ministry 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," the ministry stated.