Kisumu Reports First Confirmed Mpox Case, Launches Urgent Public Health Alert
Kisumu County has confirmed its first case of MPOX, prompting the county government to issue a Public Health alert and activate an emergency response to contain the disease.
The announcement was made by the County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Gregory Ganda, who emphasized the importance of enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures within the county.
According to Dr. Ganda, the patient is a 42-year-old man who had travelled from South Sudan and began experiencing symptoms while still in Juba.
He later travelled from Busia to Kisumu on Tuesday, 19 November, aboard a Simba Coach bus that departed at 7:00 a.m. and arrived in Kisumu at approximately 10:00 a.m.
The confirmed case marks Kisumu’s entry into the regions affected by the ongoing Mpox outbreak that has been spreading across multiple counties in Kenya, with previous hot spots including Mombasa and Nairobi.
The county health department is working closely with national and local health officials to manage the situation, including raising public awareness about preventive measures and symptoms to watch for.
Dr. Ganda urged anyone who travelled on the same bus during the stated time to seek medical evaluation immediately if they develop any symptoms associated with MPOX.
This alert entails intensified efforts for early detection, case management, and community education to curb further transmission.
Public health advisory communications are being distributed to health facilities and the general public regarding the symptoms, modes of transmission, and control protocols for Mpox.