Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus which has struck Mombasa County. [Photo|doctoralerts.com]
A medical expert has predicted that in the near future, there would not be major outbreaks of Chikungunya virus in the Coast region.
Chikungunya and dengue fever recently struck Mombasa County, with Changamwe sub-county being the hardest hit.
Medical authorities in the area report that so far 34 residents have been taken ill due to the virus.
But according to Dr Ahmed Kalebi, the disease would ease once residents gradually develop natural immunity to the mosquito-borne micro-organism.
Speaking to The Standard on Wednesday, Dr Kalebi, said many people still do not have immunity against the virus, which thrives in hot and temperate regions.
However, before the onset of what he described as 'herd immunity, the expert predicted a surge in new infections this year.
"The current Chikungunya outbreak is likely to surge this year until significant immunity is developed in the community," he told the paper.
Dr Kalebi is a University of Nairobi honorary lecturer and practising consultant.
He is also a pathologist at the Lancet Group of Laboratories which detected the current Chikungunya outbreak in Mombasa.
Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published.