Eugine Wabwile 
A test tube labelled Mpox. PHOTO/@WHOAFRO/X
BY LUCY MUSENYA
Health authorities in Embu County have officially confirmed the region’s first case of Mpox, triggering an immediate public health emergency response. The announcement has put local medical teams on high alert as they scramble to institute containment protocols and trace community contacts to prevent further spread.
The confirmed case involves a 29-year-old woman residing in the Kaagari North Ward, located within the Runyenjes sub-county. According to initial medical briefings, local surveillance teams had been closely monitoring her health status for nearly two weeks before laboratory results conclusively verified the viral infection.
Henry Nthiga, the Embu County Public Health Chief Officer, addressed the media regarding the epidemiological background of the patient. Investigations revealed that the woman had recently traveled to neighboring Murang’a County, a detail that investigators believe points directly to the source of her exposure.The patient’s travel history has prompted health personnel to initiate comprehensive contact tracing across both Embu and Murang’a counties. Epidemic response teams are working around the clock to identify anyone who may have been in close proximity to the woman during her transit and subsequent return.
In his public address, Chief Officer Nthiga outlined the primary clinical symptoms that local residents must watch out for to catch potential infections early. He stated that the virus typically manifests through profound bodily fatigue and persistent, debilitating headaches that leave patients heavily weakened.
Medical teams noted that these initial symptoms are rapidly followed by a sharp escalation in body temperature, causing high fevers. As the viral disease progresses into its definitive stage, patients begin to develop distinct, large skin rashes and painful, fluid-filled blisters across their bodies.
The regional health department has emphasized the critical importance of household-level awareness in managing the threat. Officials noted that public safety starts within the family unit, urging relatives to closely monitor one another and report any sudden outbreaks of unusual skin rashes or flu-like symptoms.
Following the confirmation, the Embu County government has appealed to the national ministry for logistical and technical reinforcement. Local health administrators stressed that national backing is vital to secure adequate medical supplies, personal protective equipment, and specialized isolation units.
In response to the case, local clinics and community health volunteers in Runyenjes have been mobilized to conduct rapid public sensitization campaigns. Educational forums are being organized to teach residents about hygiene protocols, emphasizing regular handwashing and avoiding physical contact with suspected cases.
While urging the public to remain calm, health officials maintained that early detection remains the most effective weapon against a wider outbreak. The department has assured residents that the situation is currently being managed under strict isolation guidelines to ensure the virus does not spill over into the wider community.
