Kangundo, Machakos County – Health officials in Machakos County have confirmed two cases of Mpox, raising fresh concerns over the spread of the virus in Kenya. The patients, both from Kangundo, are currently in isolation.
Juliet Munyao, the medical superintendent at Kangundo Level 4 Hospital, said the patients began showing symptoms late last week. Lab tests later confirmed they had contracted the virus.
“We have placed them in a secure isolation ward,” Dr Munyao told reporters on Thursday. “They are stable and under close medical care. We’re doing everything possible to limit exposure.”
Mpox, a viral illness once known as monkeypox, causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and distinctive skin lesions. It spreads through close physical contact, including with contaminated objects or infected bodily fluids.
County Ramps Up Public Health Response
Fredrick Kimemia, the public health officer for Kangundo Subcounty, called for calm but urged residents to remain alert.
“This is not a time to panic, but it is a time to act wisely,” Kimemia said. “We’re asking the public to report any symptoms early fever, rash, fatigue and to avoid unnecessary contact with suspected cases.”
The Ministry of Health has increased surveillance across the region. Teams are now tracing contacts and stepping up community outreach.
Posters warning of the symptoms and advising precautionary measures have been distributed to local clinics and public transport hubs. Health workers are also visiting homes near the affected area to screen for new cases.
A Broader Warning
Though the two confirmed cases appear to be isolated, the Ministry says they are taking no chances. Kenya has seen sporadic Mpox infections since the global outbreak in 2022, but this is the first confirmed cluster in Machakos County this year.
“The virus is still with us, and as we’ve learned before, early action is key,” said a senior health official in Nairobi, who was not authorised to speak on the record.
Experts say preventing further spread hinges on public cooperation and early detection.
Health officials are asking residents to avoid self-treatment and instead seek medical help at approved facilities if symptoms arise.
For now, the two patients remain in quarantine, their families under observation, and a county on edge hoping swift action will stop the virus in its tracks.
