Nakuru on high alert as officials warn of possible Marburg spillover

Nakuru County has moved into enhanced preparedness mode following confirmation by health authorities of an active Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia. 

With the disease now circulating in the region, county officials are taking precautionary steps to ensure early detection and a rapid response should the virus reach Kenya.

Moses Obiero, Manager of the Nakuru Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), says the county has already activated community awareness campaigns and healthcare worker training programmes to strengthen surveillance and response systems. He emphasises that proactive readiness is essential given the evolving situation.

Mr Obiero explains that Nakuru’s risk level is elevated due to its strategic position along the Northern Corridor, a major transport and trade route linking Kenya to neighbouring countries. He observes that the high volume of people and goods travelling along this route naturally increases the possibility of disease spreading.

“People travelling from the affected region often connect through countries linked to this corridor, and the high volume of regional air travel increases the likelihood of cross-border introductions,” he says.

He also points out that Nakuru is a key transit point for travellers heading to western Kenya, which increases the county’s exposure.

"This geographical positioning places Nakuru at a higher risk of receiving a suspected case, which is why our preparedness must be ahead of the curve," he adds.

Mr Obiero explains that the Marburg virus, which is closely related to Ebola, causes viral haemorrhagic fever, presenting with symptoms such as sudden high fever, body aches and rashes. In severe cases, it can result in bleeding from body openings. He stresses the importance of early recognition and immediate investigation.

"Any patient presenting with a fever, a rash similar to measles, unexplained bleeding, or a travel or contact history linked to the affected area should be investigated immediately," he advises.

As part of the county’s preparedness measures, healthcare workers are undergoing training to improve their ability to identify symptoms, apply infection-prevention protocols and handle suspected cases safely. Community awareness campaigns are also ongoing to educate the public about transmission risks and the importance of early reporting.

“Transmission occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person, including during caregiving, sexual contact or handling bodies. It is crucial that both the public and frontline workers understand these risks,” he says.

Regarding isolation capacity, Obiero notes that, although no Marburg-specific isolation ward has yet been designated, Nakuru’s existing isolation units for Covid-19 and Mpox remain fully functional.

“If a suspected case arises today, we have the capacity to isolate and manage it safely while awaiting confirmation,” he says.

The county government is urging the public to remain vigilant and report symptoms promptly, emphasising that early reporting saves lives, as the sooner a suspected case is identified, the faster it can be contained.

As part of its enhanced response efforts, the county is urging residents to report any suspected Marburg symptoms by calling the updated primary emergency number, 0799 032 032, or the supporting lines, 0748 219 323, 0748 220 479 and 0748 221 187.