Mombasa County has declared an outbreak of Chikungunya.
This comes after 45 samples were sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), with 25 testing positive for Chikungunya and one for Dengue Fever.
The viral infection transmitted to humans by insects such as mosquitoes, causes a crippling body, muscle and joint pains in patients.
Researchers warn that the changing climate, which has seen a rise in global temperatures and heavy rainfall, is providing conducive conditions for the survival the infected mosquitoes and the spread of infection.
Chikingunya is a Makonde word used to describe patients who would bend due to the crippling pain from the virus.
Dr. Victor Ofula, a senior researcher at KEMRI says Chikungunya is spread by the female aedes mosquito, which is known to bite between 11 am and 3 pm.
The aedes mosquito eggs are known to survive in a dry environment but hatch when water becomes available.
A mosquito that may have been infected lays infected eggs that hatch into infected mosquitoes that spread the virus. It is known to be present across the country, making it possible for the virus to spread through human movement from the endemic counties like Mombasa and Mandera to other areas.
With the impacts of climate change providing conditions necessary for the survival of the female aedes mosquito, county governments are being urged to put in place surveillance mechanisms to prevent the spread of the disease.
