Residents of Busia County have been urged to be vigilant and report suspected cases of Mpox to the nearest health facilities.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting at a hotel in Busia, the County Disease Surveillance Coordinator Evans Shiraku said that the County was leading with 39 confirmed cases since December last year.
‘Out of the 39 confirmed Mpox cases, three were Ugandan natives treated at Busia County Referral hospital,’ he said, adding that four cases were confirmed last week.
Shiraku added that awareness about the disease was still low within the County hence the need for more sensitization.
He expressed concern that no Mpox cases have been reported from Bunyala, Samia and Butula Sub counties expressing fears that members of such communities might be suffering silently.
The official further stated that the health officials have been carrying out observation screening at the gazette border points adding that the porous border was still a challenge.
‘I want to urge the local residents to report any persons with abnormal skin rashes to health officers,’ he said.
Shiraku at the same time noted that some of the local residents were resorting to over-the-counter drugs, traditional herbs and online prescriptions instead of visiting designated health facilities for medication and treatment.
‘Our people should visit our health facilities especially now that we have a screening machine at Busia County Referral Hospital,’ he said.
He further noted that a section of long-distance truck drivers who are considered a high-risk population avoid screening due to fear of being placed in isolation areas.
The official reminded the local residents to continue embracing the handwashing practice as a way of preventing the spread of Mpox.
Busia County Health Promotion Officer, Nelson Andanje urged stakeholders, opinion leaders and religious leaders to be ambassadors and champions in sensitizing the local residents on Mpox.
Busia Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Komen stated that the National Government Administration Officers were ready to use its robust structure in carrying out sensitization on Mpox disease.
Komen reminded the local residents to be patriotic and report suspected Mpox cases to the relevant authorities.
According to reports from the Ministry of Health, a total of 110 Mpox cases have been confirmed across the country with Busia taking the lead.
Other counties with confirmed Mpox cases include Mombasa 26, Nakuru 15, Makueni 7, Nairobi 5, Bungoma 3, Kajiado 3, Taita Taveta 2, Kericho 2, Kilifi 2, Kiambu 2, Uasin Gishu 1, Migori 1, Kisii 1 and Kirinyaga 1.
