Nakuru: The Nakuru Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) has reported three new suspected Mpox cases and one confirmed case in the last three days. In its latest situation report, PHEOC confirmed that four confirmed cases were still undergoing treatment while samples of the three new cases had been collected for analysis.
According to Kenya News Agency, the county has constituted its Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate the response against the Mpox virus and stop the spread of the disease in the devolved unit. The county is also conducting sensitisation forums. Since August 31, Nakuru has cumulatively reported seven cases, starting with a 37-year-old male truck driver from Rwanda. The county is working with the Ministry of Health to implement response measures, including contact tracing and enhancing surveillance.
County Director of Public Health, Ms. Elizabeth Kiptoo, stated that the northern transport corridor has been identified as a high-risk area. Public health emergency operatio
ns centres have been operationalised to coordinate response efforts. Eight high-risk areas along the corridor have been mapped, and targeted interventions have been instituted. Healthcare workers and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have been alerted, and surveillance has been enhanced across all sub-counties.
A total of 1,476 health workers have been sensitised on surveillance and detection. Forty-nine close contacts of Mpox patients have been traced, with 37 followed up and discharged, while ten are still under follow-up. The declaration of Mpox as a global public health emergency is the second in two years, with the first announcement by WHO in July 2022. The global emergency was declared over in May 2023 after a decline in cases.
Ms. Kiptoo emphasised public awareness campaigns to prevent Mpox spread, which involves isolation, use of personal protective equipment, and regular handwashing. Virus symptoms include high fever, skin rash, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. Mpox spreads through c
ontact and respiratory droplets and can also spread through materials used by infected individuals.
Complications from Mpox include bacterial infections, sepsis, vision loss, heart inflammation, brain inflammation, and pneumonia. Diagnosis is conducted through swab testing for PCR analysis and possible blood tests. Ms. Kiptoo assured residents that isolation facilities with a 192-bed capacity have been prepared in several hospitals across the county.
Sample collection kits are strategically placed in sub-counties, and laboratory staff have been sensitised on sample management. According to Africa CDC, two vaccines, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000, are recommended against Mpox, with JYNNEOS being the preferred option. Vaccination is advised for known contacts and high-risk populations, although mass vaccination is not currently recommended for Mpox.