The County Government of Embu has confirmed the first case of Mpox involving a 29-year-old female patient from Runyenjes Constituency.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Jamal Runyenje: The case was confirmed on May 30 following laboratory tests of the patient.
Consequently, the Department of Health has activated a raft of response mechanisms, including investigations, contact tracing, active case search, enhanced surveillance, and infection prevention.
CECM Jamal, in a press statement released to the media, added that they have also embarked on community sensitization activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to curb further spread.
He called on residents to remain calm but vigilant, while appealing to them to seek immediate attention for symptoms such as fever, skin rash, unusual lesions, swollen lymph nodes, body ache, and fatigue, noting they are the basic symptoms of Mpox.
“We also encourage residents to maintain good hand hygiene, avoid close contact with suspected cases, and refrain from sharing personal items,” he stated.
He also appealed to them to cooperate with public health officers conducting surveillance and contact tracing activities.
He added that all health facilities had been placed on heightened alert and preparedness measures intensified to ensure rapid detection, isolation, and management of any suspected cases.
“The County Government of Embu remains fully committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of our people,” he said.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, respiratory secretions, or infected animals.
By Samuel Waititu
