Health concerns are mounting in Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County, following the confirmation of three Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in Chekalini Ward.
The revelation was made by local administrators, who assured the public that the patients are in stable condition and currently under home-based care and isolation.
In a formal communication shared with her constituents, Mautuma Location Chief Pamela Davava called for heightened public awareness and strict adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to curb the potential spread of the virus within the community.
“We have three confirmed Mpox cases in Chekalini Ward. The three are in stable condition under home-based care and isolation,” the statement read.
“We request managers to sensitize members of the public to enhance IPC measures. Avoid overcrowding, enhance hand hygiene through hand washing and use of sanitizers. Advocate for safe sex because the disease also spreads through unprotected sex.”
Mpox is a viral illness that presents symptoms similar to smallpox, including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, and can be transmitted through close physical contact, bodily fluids, and contaminated materials.
In recent years, global health experts have also flagged sexual transmission as a growing concern in outbreaks.
Kenya is currently grappling with a rising number of Mpox infections, with the Ministry of Health confirming 226 cumulative cases across 13 counties as of July 2025. The outbreak has so far claimed two lives, resulting in a case fatality rate of approximately 0.9%.
Counties along the busy Mombasa–Malaba transport corridor remain the hardest hit, with Busia County reporting 56 confirmed cases, making it the second worst-affected region nationally. Other hotspots include Mombasa, Nakuru, and Makueni, which have reported clusters of community transmission and heightened contact tracing efforts.
In response, Kenyan health authorities have intensified containment measures, including the rollout of 10,700 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, targeted at frontline health workers and high-risk individuals. Public health campaigns are underway, focusing on hygiene promotion, safe sex advocacy, and curbing misinformation.
Chief Davava emphasized that contact tracing efforts are currently underway, with public health teams working to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into close contact with the infected persons.
She also stressed the importance of community participation in controlling the outbreak, noting that local vigilance and responsible behavior could significantly slow the spread of the disease.
“We are urging the community to be alert and supportive. The success of containment efforts depends on both official intervention and public cooperation,” she said.
The Kakamega County health department has ramped up surveillance in the region and is working closely with national health agencies to ensure that all necessary measures are taken. Public sensitization campaigns are also expected to roll out across Lugari Sub-County in the coming days.
As of now, no new cases have been reported beyond the three confirmed in Chekalini Ward, but authorities remain on high alert.
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