Public health officials fumigating drainage areas along Kismayo road in Garissa town./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The County of Garissa has embarked on a massive fumigation exercise aimed at containing the spread of dengue fever following a recent outbreak that has seen several residents hospitalised at the Garissa County Referral Hospital.

The two-week exercise, which officially kicked off on Thursday, will involve public health officials fumigating drainage areas, public institutions, schools, markets and other public spaces across Garissa township in an effort to eliminate mosquitoes responsible for spreading the disease.

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Health officials said samples taken from patients admitted at the Garissa County Referral Hospital confirmed infections of dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which commonly breeds in stagnant water.

Speaking to the pressafter overseeing the launch of the fumigation exercise, Hassan Abdullahi, who was representing the Medical Officer of Health said laboratory tests conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory confirmed the outbreak after 28 out of 40 samples collected from both public and private health facilities tested positive for dengue fever.

“For the last one month, samples were taken to the National Public Health Laboratory. Out of the 40 samples collected, 28 tested positive, representing about 70 percent. This confirms that we have an outbreak of dengue fever within the town,” Abdullahi said.

He said the county had already rolled out community sensitization campaigns through health promotion officers, public health officers, community health assistants and community health promoters.

“Today marks the launch of this fumigation exercise, which will continue for the next two weeks. We will visit all institutions, public areas and drainage systems to ensure they are fumigated. We hope to reach almost the entire population by the end of the 14 days,” he said.

He urged residents to maintain cleanliness by clearing bushes, draining stagnant water and disposing waste properly to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

Speaking to the press in his office, Garissa County Director of Health Aden Hassan assured residents that the county government had put in place adequate measures to control the outbreak and urged the public not to panic.

Hassan however allayed any fears of death noting that only infections had been reported and recorded.

“I want to make it very clear that we have not recorded any deaths related to this particular virus. We have listed around 1,900 people so far,” he said.

He noted that the county had intensified public education campaigns to sensitize residents on preventive measures and modes of transmission of the disease.

“As a department, we are doing everything possible to ensure that the disease is controlled. We have undertaken public education to inform the community about how to prevent dengue fever, and we are also carrying out fumigation within the town,” he said.

Hassan said the fumigation exercise would play a critical role in reducing the mosquito population and protecting vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.

However, he emphasized that fumigation alone would not be sufficient without community participation.

“We encourage residents to eliminate stagnant water around their homes, properly cover water storage containers, clear bushes around their compounds and use mosquito nets, repellents and protective clothing. The success of dengue fever control depends on strong community cooperation with public health teams,” he added.

The fumigation exercise comes barely a day after local leaders and residents raised concern over the increasing number of dengue fever cases in Garissa and called on the county government to urgently intervene.

Speaking during Eid al-Adha prayers held at the Rtd. General Mohamud Eid Grounds in Garissa town, Sheikh Bashir Leili urged the county health department to intensify fumigation and public awareness campaigns, saying many residents were still unaware of how the disease spreads.

He noted that several people were battling the virus both at home and in hospitals and called for swift action to contain the outbreak before the situation worsens.