Residents of Busia County have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of Mpox to their nearest healthcare facilities.
Disease surveillance coordinator, Evans Shiraku, said 39 confirmed cases had been reported since December, making Busia the county with the highest number of infections.
"Of these 39 confirmed Mpox cases, three were Ugandan nationals who received treatment at Busia County Referral Hospital," he said during a stakeholders' meeting.
Four new cases were confirmed in the past week alone.
Awareness of the disease remains low across the county, Shiraku noted, highlighting the urgent need for increased public health education.
No Mpox cases have been reported in the subcounties of Bunyala, Samia and Butula, raising fears that individuals in these communities may be suffering without seeking medical attention.
Health officials are conducting observation screenings at designated border crossings, Shiraku added.
However, the porous nature of the border continues to present a significant challenge.
"I would like to strongly encourage local residents to report anyone displaying unusual skin rashes to healthcare professionals immediately," he urged.
Some residents are resorting to over-the-counter medications, traditional remedies and online prescriptions instead of visiting established healthcare facilities for proper diagnosis and treatment.
"It is crucial that our people visit our health facilities, especially now that we have a screening machine available at Busia County Referral Hospital," he emphasised.
Some long-distance lorry drivers – considered a high-risk group– were avoiding screening due to concerns about potential isolation.
Shiraku encouraged residents to continue practising regular hand washing as a key measure in preventing the spread of Mpox.
Busia Health Promotion Officer, Nelson Andanje, called upon stakeholders, opinion leaders and religious figures to act as ambassadors in raising awareness about Mpox within the local communities.
Deputy county commissioner, Solomon Komen, affirmed that National Government Administration Officers are prepared to utilise their extensive network to conduct widespread sensitisation campaigns on the disease.
Komen appealed to residents to be responsible and report any suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
According to reports from the Ministry of Health, a total of 110 Mpox cases have been confirmed nationwide.
Other counties with confirmed 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).
