Mombasa on high alert over rotavirus outbreak

Nassir said positive cases were reported from March 28 this year and as late as April 10. He said the children's ward at CGRH was overwhelmed and warned that the situation could be worse.

"You can imagine with a bed capacity of about 50, and we have so far surpassed 75," said Nassir, adding that Kisauni Sub County has recorded the highest number of cases.

Nassir said the county government yesterday dispatched health teams to vaccinate children against Rotavirus in Kisauni area even as they strengthened enforcement of hygiene in the region.

"It has come to my attention that Mombasa County is currently experiencing an outbreak of extreme diarrhea and vomiting in infants," said Nassir.

Children treated in various health facilities were in a state of shock, with a history of severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, and high fevers.

"Our health teams are working around the clock to confirm the causative organism. As a cautionary response, we are emphasizing infection prevention measures in all entities across the county, including food handling at home, in eateries, schools, daycare centres, and among street food vendors," said Nassir in a statement.

He said his administration had strengthened surveillance, increased sensitization of health education at the community level, and distributed chlorine for water treatment.

The governor said health staff is also conducting household visits to check on sanitation and hygiene and ensure that waste management is promptly attended to.

"Additionally, there is a team to visit food premises to ensure that food sold is safe for consumption. We have strengthened water quality testing and urge the residents to report any case of diarrhea and vomiting to the nearest health facility," he said.

He urged residents, especially mothers with infants below the age of two years, to observe strict hand and food hygiene, allow children to be vaccinated, and report any case of excessive diarrhea and vomiting to the nearest hospital.