Health officials have confirmed three cases of the Mpox virus in Nyandarua County, Kenya, raising concerns of a potential outbreak in the region.
One of the patients is currently being treated at Engineer Level Four Hospital, while a couple from the Ndaragwa area is receiving care in the isolation ward at Nyahururu County Hospital.
Although the couple’s two children tested negative for the virus, they have been placed under medical observation as a precaution.
According to Wagura Taiti, the Laikipia County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, there are currently no confirmed Mpox cases in Laikipia County. However, the two patients from Ndaragwa were taken to Nyahururu because it is the nearest hospital equipped to handle infectious diseases like Mpox.
Health teams from both Nyandarua and Laikipia counties have been mobilised to respond quickly to the situation. Contact tracing has been completed, and two relatives of the infected couple have been placed under home quarantine as a safety measure.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to stay calm but alert, and to report any unusual skin rashes, fever, or flu-like symptoms to the nearest health facility. Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated materials.
This is the first confirmed presence of Mpox in Nyandarua County, and health officials are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further spread.
Mpox is a viral disease similar to smallpox but less severe. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a painful skin rash. While it is rarely fatal, it can spread quickly in communities without early detection and isolation.
Public Health Advice:
Practice good hygiene
Avoid close contact with infected individuals
Seek medical attention if symptoms appear
Follow all health guidelines issued by county and national health authorities
