Governor Njuki speaks on Mpox control measures

By Leonard Murunga 

Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki has called on devolved units to remain vigilant against the spread of Mpox disease.

The second term county boss who doubles up as the chairman of the Health Committee in the Council of Governors (CoG), said counties were working closely with the national government, in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.

According to governor Njuki, there is an established reporting system that is being used to monitor the disease and its possible spread, adding that those at risk of contracting the disease include the elderly.

“The government has decided to create awareness as a measure against spread of the virus,” he added.

So far, Kisii and Kiambu counties have reported suspected cases. Beyond the Kenyan borders, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported their first Mpox cases at the end of July, 2024.

Mpox (monkeypox), according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.

Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals. Anyone can get Mpox.

Laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material by PCR. Mpox is treated with supportive care. Vaccines and therapeutics developed for smallpox and approved for use in some countries can be used for mpox in some circumstances.

In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused by a strain known as clade IIb. Mpox can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with someone who has mpox.