314 Mpox cases confirmed since 2024 outbreak – Health Ministry
By Cynthia Lodite, August 1, 2025The Ministry of Health has released a statement on the current situation of the Mpox outbreak in the country, while assuring Kenyans that they are committed to safeguarding and protecting the people.
In a press statement released on Friday, August 1, 2025, the Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, issued an update on the number of cases reported so far while addressing the efforts being taken by the government to safeguard the nation.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to controlling the Mpox outbreak and protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans. We appreciate the continued efforts by the public and all stakeholders in combating this outbreak and safeguarding the well-being of our nation,” Duale said.
According to the Ministry of Health, the country has so far reported at least three hundred and fourteen Mpox cases since the outbreak began in July 2024.
“The Ministry wishes to update the public on the Mpox disease outbreak situation in the Country. A total of three hundred and fourteen (314) Mpox cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began in July 2024,” Daule said.
Counties affected by Mpox
Similarly, the Health CS revealed that the affected counties are among Mombasa with the leading cases of Mpox closely followed by Nakuru, Kilifi, Nairobi, Makueni, Taita Taveta and Uasin Gishu.
Other counties listed are Bungoma, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kericho, Machakos, Migori, Kisii, Kirinyaga, Isiolo, Kitui, Narok, Baringo and Trans-Nzoia.
“These cases have been reported across 22 counties namely: Mombasa (146), Busia (63), and Nakuru (21), Kilifi (19), Nairobi (17), Makueni (13), Taita Taveta (5), Uasin Gishu (5), Bungoma (4), Kajiado (3), Kakamega (3), Kiambu (3), Kericho (2), Machakos (2), Migori (1), Kisii (1), Kirinyaga (1), Isiolo (1), Kitui (1), Narok (1), Baringo (1), and Trans-Nzoia (1). In the last 24 hours, four (4) additional Mpox cases have been confirmed in Mombasa County (3 cases) and Nairobi County (1),” the Health CS listed.
Likewise, according to the Ministry, a total of 33 cases are currently admitted in various facilities across the country, while 54 cases are under home-based isolation and care. Further, 222 cases have fully recovered. Unfortunately, five (5) cases have succumbed to the disease since the onset of the outbreak further adding that the case fatality rate stands at 1.6%.
In addition, the Health CS has revealed that a total of 422 contacts of the positive cases have been identified, 392 of whom have been monitored over the recommended period of 21 days, while the others are still being observed. Fifteen (15) contacts have tested positive for Mpox so far.
Similarly, he added that over 4.7 million travellers have been screened at our airports and other points of entry, and suspected cases identified for further investigation. Samples drawn from suspected cases are tested at our National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) and other partner laboratories. Subsequently, 905 samples from suspected cases have been laboratory-tested, of which 314 tested positive (Positivity Rate: 34.6%).
Measures taken by the Ministry of Health
Following the report the Ministry of Health has acknowledged that it is in collaboration with the County Governments and other Partners, adding that they have stepped up surveillance activities across all counties and have deployed multi-disciplinary Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to support capacity strengthening of healthcare workers, active case search, contact listing, tracing, investigation, and symptomatic management of confirmed cases, including mental health and psychosocial support to the infected and affected persons.
Additionally, the government has said that risk communication and community engagement activities are ongoing in the affected counties to enhance public awareness, reduce stigma, and promote infection prevention and control measures. To date, over two (2) million individuals have been sensitized on Mpox at various points of entry (POES).