The United States Embassy in Nairobi issued a dengue fever health alert on 3 August 2026, warning travellers of elevated transmission risk along the Kenyan coast and in northern Kenya.
Where Is Affected
The alert specifically identifies two areas:
- Coastal counties: The Indian Ocean coast from Mombasa south through Diani and north through Malindi, Watamu, and Kilifi County
- Northern counties: Wajir and Garissa Counties in northeastern Kenya, close to the Somalia border
The coastal counties are Kenya’s principal beach destination and host the majority of resort tourism. Both Mombasa and the wider coastal strip are affected.
What Is the Risk
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites primarily during daylight hours — unlike the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito, which feeds at night. Symptoms typically appear 4–10 days after a bite and include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash. Most cases are self-limiting, but severe dengue can be life-threatening.
There is no approved vaccine available for general traveller use. Prevention relies entirely on mosquito avoidance.
Recommended Precautions
The Embassy advises all travellers to:
- Apply DEET-based repellent (30–50% concentration) throughout the day
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon
- Use air conditioning or mosquito nets in accommodation
- Eliminate standing water around any accommodation where possible
Before You Travel
If you are planning a coastal stay — whether a beach break at Diani or Watamu or a city visit to Mombasa — the current alert does not close any destination, but extra precaution is warranted. Pack appropriate repellent and clothing before departure; supply can be limited outside major urban centres.
For a full overview of health preparations for Kenya, including malaria prophylaxis and recommended vaccinations, see our Kenya health and vaccinations guide.
We will monitor updates from the US Embassy and Kenyan Ministry of Health.