Kisumu Reports First MPOX Infection, County Issues Public Health Warning
The individuals concerned will be put through regular check-ups throughout the recommended observation period to make sure that any signs of infection are caught on time.
A test tube labelled "Mpox virus positive" is held in this illustration taken August 20, 2024. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The first case of MPOX has officially been recorded in Kisumu County, prompting the health authorities to issue a public alert and intensify surveillance across the region. The confirmation was made on Wednesday by the County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Gregory Ganda, who assured residents that the county is taking every necessary measure to contain any possible spread.
Dr. Ganda said this is a male patient aged 42 years who recently travelled from South Sudan. According to reports, the patient started showing signs of MPOX while still in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, before embarking on his journey back to Kenya. He travelled despite the onset of the disease and crossed into Kenya through the Busia border.
The man took a Simba Coach bus from Busia on Tuesday, 19 November, with the vehicle leaving at 7:00 a.m. and arriving in Kisumu at about 10:00 a.m. According to county health officials, the entire journey by bus is a cause for concern as it might have exposed fellow passengers to a potential risk. The man sought medical attention upon arrival in Kisumu after his condition deteriorated.
He was consequently admitted to the Kisumu County Referral Hospital on the same day and was immediately isolated by healthcare workers for specialized treatment. According to Dr. Ganda, the patient is doing well and is currently in stable condition. The medical staff remains vigilant in monitoring him while following strict infection prevention protocols.
Following the confirmation, Dr. Ganda made an urgent appeal to all members of the public who might have travelled in the same bus and within the stated period. He called on anyone who might have travelled on the Simba Coach bus from Busia to Kisumu that morning to be aware and seek immediate medical check-up in case they developed any symptoms associated with MPOX. Early reporting, he highlighted, is key in the prevention of community transmission.
Contact tracing by the county’s health department has already begun to identify people who may have come into contact with the patient. Four close contacts have so far been identified and placed under active monitoring. The individuals concerned will be put through regular check-ups throughout the recommended observation period to make sure that any signs of infection are caught on time.
Besides that, surveillance has been heightened in Kisumu County across all health facilities, both public and private. According to Dr. Ganda, medical staff have been put on high alert, with the county enhancing laboratory testing, case identification, and rapid response mechanisms. Residents have been advised to remain calm but precautious, observe proper hygiene practices, and report unusual symptoms early. The county government maintained that it would do everything necessary to ensure public health was protected and asked the people to cooperate with the health officers as they worked at containing the possible spread of the virus.
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