Nairobi: A young family has been placed in isolation at Nyahururu County Hospital, Laikipia County, after being confirmed to be suffering from Mpox. Kibet Kiprop and his wife Ruth Mwihaki had separately visited Baari Health Centre in Nyandarua, complaining of chills, fever, and painful skin lesions and were treated and discharged. The couple’s condition worsened while at home, and they visited Nyahururu County Hospital, where tests confirmed Mpox infection. They and their two children aged three years and three months were immediately put in isolation as they undergo treatment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Laikipia County Chief Executive for Health, Albert Taiti, addressed the media, stating that the couple’s two children had not shown any symptoms but had to be admitted because there was no one left to care for them at home. Dr. Taiti explained that isolation and containment measures have been activated, and the county is collaborating with national health authorities to monitor the situation. He emphasized that while Mpox has no cure, it is manageable, and urged anyone with unexplained rashes, fever, or body aches to seek immediate medical attention.
Dr. Taiti also clarified that the two cases did not originate from Laikipia but from Nyandarua, and the couple ended up at Nyahururu Hospital because it is the nearest facility to their residence. He has informed Nyandarua’s CEC for Health, Juliana Syoweu Tsinanga, who has activated the county surveillance team to identify people who may have come into contact with the couple. A sister of the woman and a young man from a local secondary school have been identified as contacts but are not showing any signs of illness.
Dr. Taiti advised these contacts to perform self-monitoring and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms associated with Mpox. He reassured the public that Mpox cannot be transmitted through the air but requires close body contact with an infected person. The health workers across the county have been alerted, briefed, and supplied with protective gear. Additionally, awareness campaigns are planned to educate the public on symptoms, prevention, and response protocols related to Mpox.
This is the second Mpox case reported in Nyandarua County, following a case a month ago involving a victim admitted to Eng. Hospital in Kinangop Sub-County.