The Kiambu County Government on Saturday confirmed that reports doing rounds on social media about a suspected Mpox case are true.
In a press statement, Dr. Elias Maina, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) incharge of Health Services communicated that the case is currently under laboratory investigation and a comprehensive statement will be issued as soon as the results are available.
"At this stage, there is no need for alarm. The County Government, through the Department of Health Services, has activated all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents," Dr. Maina stated.
The County Government further stated that it is monitoring the situation closely and is adequately prepared to respond to any developments.
"We urge the public to remain calm and to follow official channels for updates and information," the county told residents.
Mpox Situation
Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Barasa on Friday informed Kenyans the national government had heightened surveillance and 12 people screened after the first Mpox case was reported in Taita Taveta County.
From the tests, six of the suspected cases turned out to be negative.
In a further update, Public Health & Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni stated that the government will be leveraging the protocols it applied to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the border points, you will find active equipment like thermoguns, thermoscanners, personal protective equipment, handwashing facilities, and hand sanitisers. We are also sensitising the masses on what they need to do to prevent Mpox,” the Principal Secretary stated during an interview with Citizen TV on Friday.
What is Mpox?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.
Mpox spreads through direct contact with infected individuals via touch, kissing, or sex, and can also be transmitted from animals during hunting or cooking.
Contaminated materials like sheets or needles, and from pregnant individuals to their unborn babies, are other common transmission routes.
The illness is marked by symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, and chills.
Prevention Measures
To prevent mpox, the public is advised to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash or sores, wash hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer, avoid contact with animals that could carry the virus, and wear protective gear like gloves and masks when caring for someone who is sick.
Anyone seeking further information or in need of help was advised to contact the Kiambu County Government through the emergency call center via the phone number 0700820227.
