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Hiiraan Online Today from Hiiraan Online: Somali Music advertisements Kenya reports first Mpox case in Garissa as health worker tests positive FacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail Monday November 3, 2025 FILE - A patient shows symptoms of monkeypox (Mpox) on their hands in this undated file photo. Kenyan health officials on Tuesday confirmed the country’s first case of the viral disease in Garissa County after a health worker tested positive, prompting emergency containment measures. (AP Photo) NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Health officials in northeastern Kenya have confirmed the country’s first case of monkeypox (Mpox) in Garissa County after a 35-year-old health worker tested positive for the virus, prompting an immediate public health response to prevent further spread. Garissa County’s Department of Health said the case was confirmed on October 29 following laboratory tests at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Nairobi. The patient, who showed symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and skin lesions on October 20, had recently travelled to Nairobi for a mental health conference before becoming ill. Dr. Ali Ameen Hassan, head of Preventive and Community Health Services, said the patient is in stable condition and receiving care. “This case was detected early, and containment measures have been put in place,” he said. “We urge anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Mpox to visit a health facility for testing.” Authorities have deployed rapid response teams and launched contact tracing to curb potential transmission. Kenya’s Ministry of Health warned that frequent cross-border travel across East Africa raises the risk of the virus spreading regionally. The confirmation in Garissa follows Kenya’s first reported case in mid-2024 in the southeastern region bordering Tanzania, where an infected traveller from Uganda was detected while en route to Rwanda. Similar outbreaks have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and the Central African Republic, fueling concern over the emergence of a more virulent strain of the virus. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease spread through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a painful rash that typically begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. The virus is related to smallpox but is generally less severe. Two main strains exist — one that spreads rapidly with mild symptoms, and another that can cause severe illness and death. Although Mpox originated in Central and West Africa, outbreaks have since been reported globally. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has stated that the overall risk of Mpox transmission in Europe remains “very low,” though African countries continue to record sporadic cases. While there is no specific treatment for Mpox, most patients recover within two to three weeks. Health experts say the smallpox vaccine provides up to 85 percent protection and can be used in preventive campaigns for high-risk populations. Dr. Hassan said public awareness remains key to controlling the outbreak. “Early reporting and hygiene vigilance are our best defence against community transmission,” he noted. With files from the BBC Somali Service Opinion| Privacy Policy|Sports|Somali Music|Somali Map All Rights Reserved Copyright. © 1999-2025, www.hiiraan.com
