By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, August 6, 2026 - The United States has issued a fresh health advisory warning travellers about the risk of dengue fever in parts of Kenya following a rise in infections, placing the country back on the list of destinations under the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) global dengue surveillance programme.
The alert, issued through the US Embassy in Nairobi and the CDC, identifies Kenya's coastal region as well as the northeastern counties of Wajir and Garissa as areas of concern. Although the notice does not advise Americans against travelling to Kenya, it urges visitors to take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites.
According to the CDC, Kenya remains under a Level One advisory category, meaning travellers are advised to practise normal precautions while remaining alert to the risk of infection.
"Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus common in tropical and subtropical climates that can lead to fever, aches and pains, nausea and rashes," the agency said.
The CDC further advised travellers to use insect repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms to minimise the risk of exposure.
Kenya is one of 11 countries included in the latest global advisory following an increase in reported infections and concerns over the growing number of cases among travellers returning to the United States. The other countries listed are Bolivia, Cambodia, Colombia, Malaysia, the Maldives, New Caledonia, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Vietnam.
Health experts say dengue fever is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which thrive in warm, humid environments and commonly breed in stagnant water.
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Symptoms typically appear between three and ten days after infection and may include high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, nausea and, in some cases, bleeding from the nose or gums. Severe infections can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.
Kenya's current outbreak is believed to have started in late 2025, although the country has experienced several previous outbreaks over the past four decades, particularly in coastal regions. Major outbreaks were reported in the early 1980s, between 2013 and 2014 and again in 2021.
Public health officials have long warned that rising temperatures, rapid urbanisation and changing rainfall patterns are creating favourable conditions for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Unlike some countries, Kenya has not yet incorporated widespread dengue vaccination into its national immunisation programmes, making prevention and early diagnosis the country's primary line of defence.
The latest advisory comes at a time when Kenya is recording increased international arrivals, with tourism authorities continuing efforts to attract more visitors to the country's beaches, wildlife parks and cultural heritage sites. Officials are therefore expected to intensify surveillance and public awareness campaigns in the affected regions.