Residents of Garissa going about their businesses on Thursday./STEPHEN ASTARIKOThe Ministry of Health in Garissa on Thursday confirmed its first case of Mpox involving a 35-year-old male healthcare worker, prompting swift containment and public health response measures.
According to a report from the Garissa County Department of Health, the case was confirmed on 29th October 2025, following laboratory tests conducted at the National Virology Reference Laboratory (NPHL) in Nairobi.
The report prepared by Ali Amin Hassan, Head, Division of Preventive and Promotive Health Services and County Disease Surveillance Coordinator, states that the patient, who works at Garissa County Referral Hospital (GCRH), developed symptoms including fever, fatigue, and a characteristic rash on 20th October 2025.
The statement indicates that the healthcare worker had traveled to Nairobi for a mental health conference two weeks before symptom onset. Samples collected on 27th October tested positive for the Mpox virus, confirming the county’s first case this year.
“On 25th October 2025, the Garissa County Department of Health received a notification of a suspected Mpox case involving a 35-year-old male healthcare worker stationed at Garissa County Referral Hospital (GCRH). The case had traveled to Nairobi for a five-day mental health conference approximately two weeks before the onset of symptoms,” the report reads in part.
“On 20th October 2025, he developed fever, fatigue, and a generalized vesiculo-pustular rash consistent with Mpox clinical presentation. The patient initially self-isolated at home before seeking care at GCRH on 27th October 2025, where two lesion swab samples were collected and dispatched to the National Virology Reference Laboratory (NPHL, Nairobi) for confirmatory testing,” the statement further reads.
Health authorities have notified the National Public Health Institute (NPHI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Kenya office for additional technical support and guidance.
Among the recommendations from the health team include activating and sustaining the County Rapid Response Team (RRT) to support field investigation and contact monitoring, and scaling up active surveillance across all health facilities to detect additional cases early.
Others include enhancing risk communication and community awareness using CHVs, local radio, and social mobilizers.
Health officials have initiated contact tracing, community sensitization, and infection prevention measures.
The health officials have further advised residents to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of rash or sores, to maintain proper hygiene, and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop suspicious symptoms.
The public has been assured that containment measures are in place and that healthcare workers have been alerted to enhance early detection and response.
Mpox, a viral zoonotic disease, has been reported sporadically in parts of Kenya, but this is the first confirmed case in Garissa County in 2025.
“The situation is under control, and there is no cause for public alarm. We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected rash illnesses to the nearest health facility,” the statement reads.
