Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
The Mombasa County Government has escalated investigations into the mysterious deaths reported in Migadini area by handing over the matter to the national government.
The county’s Department of Health stated that the Ministry of Health has now taken over the probe to determine the cause of the sudden deaths.
Four people have been confirmed dead within a week, three of whom were found in their homes on Monday. The victims reportedly exhibited similar symptoms, including blisters and swollen bodies.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said that a rapid response team had been dispatched to Migadini to establish the true cause of the deaths.
She urged caution in how the matter is publicised to avoid triggering unnecessary panic before investigations are concluded.
“Surveillance and rapid response teams are on the ground and laboratory testing is ongoing to determine the exact cause. Members of the public are urged to remain calm as the Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide timely updates,” she said.
Ms Muthoni added that the situation cannot yet be declared an outbreak until the illness is clearly identified.
The PS assured the public that the country has the capacity and infrastructure to respond effectively to any public health emergency that may arise.
In a statement issued by the county health department on Tuesday, Migadini residents were urged not to handle any dead bodies while investigations are ongoing.
Residents were also advised to report any missing persons and to maintain high levels of personal hygiene.
Last Friday, the department disclosed that Changamwe and Nyali are the most affected areas by Mpox infections in Mombasa.
However, it is still unclear whether the Mpox outbreak is related to the recent deaths that have raised fears in Migadini.
According to the county, a total of 98 Mpox cases have been confirmed in Mombasa since September 2024, with the majority of infections recorded between June and July. Nyali reported 23 cases, while Changamwe had 19, with the rest spread across the city.
Residents are pleading with both the county and national governments to deploy health experts to assess whether isolation or quarantine measures are needed.
Mr Salim Mohamed, a resident, urged the government to conduct immediate tests to determine the cause.
“People are terrified. We don’t know who will be next,” he said.
“We have started using gloves and masks but we aere not sure they are enough. We just need answers and protection,” Mr Mohamed added.
On Tuesday, the county administration dispatched a public health team to the area, and samples were collected from the victims for testing.
The first case involved a 91-year-old woman who died at home on July 9. On July 14, a 57-year-old man, a 69-year-old man, and a 55-year-old man were found dead inside their homes under similar circumstances.
“All four bodies are currently preserved at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary where postmortems and further evaluations are expected to be conducted,” the health department stated.
It said that no evidence has so far pointed to an infectious outbreak, but urged the public to remain vigilant.
Residents have been advised to report any missing persons to local leaders or community health promoters, avoid direct contact with human remains, maintain strict hygiene and seek immediate medical attention if feeling unwell.
The county government says it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates once investigations are complete.
