As the region battles an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, Kenya is staring at yet another health crisis. This is after Embu County confirmed its first case of the Mpox outbreak in the county.
In a statement dated May 31, Embu County Executive Committee member for Health, Jamal Runyenje, said the confirmation of the first case followed the laboratory test results received on May 30.
According to Jamal, the case involved a 29-year-old female resident of Kagaari North Ward in Embu County.
“I wish to officially inform you that the Department of Health has confirmed the first case of Mpox in Embu County following laboratory results received on 30th May 2026. The confirmed case involves a 29-year-old female resident of Kagaari North Ward in Runyenjes Sub-County,” part of Jamal’s statement read.
Health Team Actions on Mpox Outbreak
Upon confirmation of the outbreak, the Embu County health teams activated the county’s outbreak response mechanism.
According to the health CEC, the outbreak mechanism included case investigation, contact tracing and active case search, enhanced surveillance, and risk communication.
Furthermore, the health teams were involved in infection prevention and control measures and community sensitization activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Residents in Embu County have been urged to remain calm while maintaining vigilance in curbing the Mpox outbreak.
In addition, the residents have been asked to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms, including fever, skin rash, unusual lesions, or swollen lymph nodes.
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Further, the Health CEC has emphasized that residents in the county should maintain hygiene and avoid close contact with individuals with suspected cases.
The public in the county have also been advised to refrain from sharing personal goods and to cooperate with the public health officers in the county who are conducting surveillance and contact tracing activities.
Health facilities across Embu County have issued the health alerts and enhanced the preparedness measures to ensure rapid detection and management in the suspected area.
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County Government Action
According to the health executive, the county government will remain committed to protecting the health and well-being of all residents in the county.
Additionally, the county will provide the residents with updates from the investigations and the response activities being undertaken by the health teams through the official government channels.
About Mpox Outbreak
According to the World Health Organization, Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person, materials, or respiratory secretions, often through prolonged exposure.
Mpox has symptoms such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, fatigue, and a skin rash.
According to a CDC/MMWR report from the Ministry of Health (MoH) data, based on the index case and the early phase of the Mpox outbreak from July 2024 to February 2025, 48 laboratory-confirmed cases were out of 447 suspected cases.
The report indicated that most of the cases were concentrated along the Mombasa –Malaba transport corridor at the Uganda border.
Among the 48 confirmed cases, 27 were recorded on the transportation corridor.
However, in Kenya, only one case of Mpox was reported in 2024, involving an individual who had traveled from Kampala to Mombasa, with the Ministry clarifying that the patient made a full recovery in a press statement issued by the MoH in August 2024.
Additionally, the MoH stated that of the 12 screened suspected cases in contact with six individuals with unconfirmed cases, none were positive.
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