Mombasa County has declared a Chikungunya outbreak after 25 of 45 samples tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, with one case of Dengue Fever also confirmed.

Chikungunya causes severe joint, muscle, and body pain, leaving patients debilitated. It’s spread by the female Aedes mosquito, which bites during the day and can pass the virus to offspring through infected eggs.

Dr. Victor Ofula of KEMRI warns that rising temperatures and increased rainfall—linked to climate change—are creating ideal breeding conditions for the mosquitoes. With the virus present in multiple counties, human movement risks spreading it further.

Authorities are urging county governments to strengthen disease surveillance and mosquito control to prevent a wider outbreak.