On Friday, June 20, 2025, Austine Odaba, a public healthcare officer coordinating school health programmes in Mombasa, was going about his daily duties when he suddenly fell ill. 

He experienced fever, sore throat and back pain, and initially suspected it could be dengue or Chikungunya—common viral infections in the coastal region.

After seeking treatment at a local health facility, he took medication and went back home to rest. 

A few days later, Odaba resumed work. But shortly after, a strange rash appeared on his hand. By the next day, it had spread to his face. 

“I noticed the rash didn’t look normal, so I decided to go for further tests,” Odaba recounted during a media sensitisation forum on Mpox and epidemic response in Mombasa.  

“I went to Kongowea Dispensary, where medics took swabs from the lesions on my body.” 

While awaiting test results, he made the critical decision to isolate himself. The diagnosis confirmed what he feared—he had contracted Mpox. 

Odaba’s case added to the surging tally of infections in Mombasa, which now leads with 122 cases out of the 281 reported countrywide. 

According to Odaba, Mpox lesions go through various stages—starting with macules (flat spots on the skin), followed by papules (raised spots like acne), vesicles (fluid-filled blisters), and pustules (pus-filled lesions). These eventually rupture, leaving behind painful scabs. 

To date, Odaba is not sure how he contracted the virus. 

“Being isolated from your family is tough. Fortunately, I reacted quickly, and none of my family members got infected. I also received psychological counselling,” he recounted. 

Mombasa is fast becoming the epicentre of Mpox in Kenya. On Monday, July 28, 2025, Nasaro Mwanyale, the County Disease Surveillance Coordinator, confirmed that two new cases had been admitted, bringing the total current admissions in Mombasa to 23. 

With cases projected to peak in September, Mombasa now finds itself in a race against time to contain the spread, educate the public, and strengthen the health system’s response to a disease that is tightening its grip on the county. 

“Nyali sub-county is leading with 23 per cent of all infections,” Mwanyale said. 

Out of all recorded cases, 52.5 per cent are female, while 47.5 per cent are male. The youngest patient reported in the past two weeks is one year old, while the oldest is 86. 

“Only 21 people had a history of travel. The rest contracted it locally, which points to clear evidence of community transmission,” Mwanyale noted. 

Since the first case was reported in Kenya last year, five people have succumbed to the disease. By July, the country had recorded 281 cases, with 10 new infections reported that month—Mombasa (4), Nairobi (2), Kilifi (2), and Uasin Gishu (2). 

There have been 104 overall admissions, 47 patients are under home-based care, and 125 have recovered.

However, public health officials are grappling with challenges in contact tracing due to stigma and fear. 

“People don’t want to share contact information. Some even escape isolation and disappear. This is very risky,” he lamented.