Mombasa: Fear Grips Residents as 4 Die from Mysterious Disease that Leaves Victims’ Bodies Swollen
- Panic gripped Migadini in Changamwe after four people died from a mysterious illness, causing body swelling, blisters, and foul-smelling wounds
- Locals said the deceased showed disturbing symptoms and warned more residents had already been hospitalised with similar signs
- Some residents linked the deaths to possible toxic chemical exposure from nearby industrial sites, sparking further fear
- Mombasa health officials dispatched a team, collected samples, and launched an urgent probe as KEMRI began tests
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Mombasa - Panic has swept through the Migadini area in Changamwe, after four people died from a strange and unidentified illness that has left residents fearful.
Source: UGC
The mysterious disease, which manifests through abnormal swelling of the body, blistering skin and foul-smelling wounds, has sparked growing concern among locals.
Many are now worried they may have been exposed, especially those who had close contact with the deceased.
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The first death was reported on Wednesday, July 9, when a 91-year-old woman died at her home.
Mombasa county officials initially attributed her death to a chronic illness but in the days that followed, three more men aged 55, 57, and 69 were found dead in separate homes, all with disturbing similarities in their physical state; swollen bodies in varying stages of decomposition and unexplained white skin patches.
"The body was swelling up like it had boils, and it had these whitish patches all over," said Michael Nyamai, a long-time resident of the area.
"A person swells up like this and ends up looking like an elephant. They develop blisters and emit a foul smell. We don’t understand what kind of illness this is," added another resident, Maulid Hassan.
Their deaths have thrown the community into confusion and grief, with locals urging the government to act quickly to determine what is killing their neighbours and to guide them on how to protect themselves.
"There are others who have also been hospitalised. This illness is going to affect the entire community," said a concerned local, Wera.
Amid rising public anxiety, speculation is swirling as some residents believe the deaths could be the result of a toxic chemical exposure, possibly from nearby industrial facilities.
"We are not so quick to say it’s Mpox because we have got what we are suspecting, the people who are dead might have been inhaling toxic fumes that are coming from the neighbouring installations," said Peterside Otieno, another resident.
How has Mombasa responded to strange disease?
Mombasa county health officials have since dispatched an investigative team to Migadini to collect samples and assess the situation on the ground.
According to a county statement, the bodies have been taken to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary, where post-mortems are expected to shed more light.
While early assessments suggested the victims may have had underlying conditions, authorities are not ruling out any possibilities.
Source: UGC
Samples have been sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for further testing to help identify the disease or any possible toxins.
"The Department of Health, Mombasa County government, has received unverified reports of deaths of four individuals under unclear circumstances. Upon receiving this information, the Department immediately deployed an investigative team to Migadini area to investigate the reported cases and the public concerns," the county said in a statement.
Health officials are now urging residents to remain calm, practice strict hygiene, avoid handling unknown human remains, and report any new symptoms or missing persons.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the ministry has deployed a team of medics to work closely with county officials to find out the cause of the strange illness and possible remedies.
The CS said the ministry will share regular updates with the general public on the progress made in combating the illness.
Unknown illness kills 143 people
In a related story, a mysterious flu-like illness killed at least 143 people in the Panzi health zone in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Health officials were alarmed by the rapid spread of the disease, which has infected over 300 people so far.
Symptoms included fever, headaches, cough, runny nose, breathing difficulties, and anaemia.
Provincial Health Minister Apollinaire Yumba confirmed that the highest number of deaths occurred among teenagers aged 15 to 18.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
