Mombasa, Kenya – When 27-year-old Aisha (not her real name) noticed strange rashes spreading on her arms and a fever that would not go away, her first instinct was fear. “I thought it was malaria,” she recalls. “But when I went to the clinic, they told me it could be Mpox. I felt ashamed and worried about what people would say.”
Aisha was referred to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, where she spent days in isolation. Her story mirrors that of many residents in Nyali, Changamwe and Mvita sub-counties, which have emerged as hotspots of the viral disease.
According to county health officials, Mombasa has recorded 146 confirmed cases and at least two deaths, making it one of the hardest-hit regions in Kenya. Nationwide, the Ministry of Health has reported more than 314 cases across 22 counties, with five fatalities linked to the outbreak.
Families Living in Fear
For families, the diagnosis comes with both emotional and social costs. Isolation wards at Coast General and Utange facilities are filling up, while others are forced to stay home under strict monitoring. “When someone in the house is suspected of having Mpox, the whole family feels punished,” says Hassan Ali, a resident of Changamwe whose cousin was recently admitted. “Neighbours keep away, and children miss school.”
Pressure on Health Facilities
Frontline health workers in Mombasa say the outbreak has stretched already thin resources. “We are seeing more patients every week,” said a clinician at Coast General who requested anonymity. “Some come late because they hide their symptoms due to stigma, and that makes treatment harder.”
County officials insist that teams are conducting contact tracing and awareness drives. However, they acknowledge the gaps. “We are fighting both the disease and misinformation,” said Dr. Salma Swaleh, a county health officer. “Many people still believe Mpox is a curse or that it only affects certain groups. That is dangerous.”
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral disease spread through close contact with skin lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets or contaminated objects. It causes fever, headaches, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and distinctive rashes. While rarely fatal, the illness can lead to serious complications.
The disease first appeared in Kenya in December 2023, and cases have steadily risen since. Globally, the World Health Organization declared Mpox a public health emergency in 2022.
Battling Stigma
Beyond the physical illness, stigma has emerged as a silent epidemic. Patients report discrimination, with some losing jobs or being isolated in their communities. Public health experts warn that such stigma could drive the outbreak underground.
“We must encourage people to come forward early,” said Dr. Swaleh. “Hiding only fuels spread. Community support and empathy are as important as medical care.”
Looking Ahead
As she recovers at home, Aisha has a message for others: “Do not be afraid. Go to the hospital early. This disease is not a curse—it can be treated.”
Her words echo the call of health experts for Mombasa residents to fight fear with knowledge. For now, the city is learning to live with an outbreak that has disrupted lives, but also revealed the resilience of families and health workers battling Mpox on the coast.
