The Ministry of Health has confirmed the fifth case of Mpox in the country.
In a statement published on Friday, September 6, 2024, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announced that Kenya’s Mpox cases have risen to five after a female from Mombasa with no recent travel history tested positive.
Barasa stated that the fifth patient is a spouse to the fourth confirmed case currently admitted in Nakuru adding that since the outbréak of Mpox, 124 samples have been tested and out of those, five samples have tested positive, 110 tested negative and 9 are under analysis.
“To date, 124 samples have been submitted to our laboratories for Mpox testing. Out of these, 110 samples have tested negative, 9 are under analysis, and 5 are confirmed positive for Mpox,” Barasa said.
“Additionally, 687,233 travellers have been screened at our 26 Ports of Entry across the country Grok The 5th case, confirmed in the country on Wednesday 4th September 2024, involves a 29-year-old female from Mombasa, a spouse to the 4″ confirmed case currently admitted in Nakuru, was seen at the Coast General Hospital on 28th August 2024 and is currently in isolation at Utange Hospital’s Mpox Isolation Centre.”
The CS further confirmed that two out of the five confirmed cases have fully recovered, while three who are in isolation are responding positively to treatment.
“Currently, 33 contacts remain under close observation. Out of the five (5) confirmed cases, two have fully recovered, while three (3) remain in isolation and are responding positively to treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of our response and management of the disease,” Barasa added.
Symptoms
Additionally, the ministry outlined the signs and symptoms to look out for.
“Mpox is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, contact with contaminated body fluids, clothing, utensils, or contact with infected wild animals. Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For. Post-high fever, body rash, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, back pain, fatigue muscle, and body aches, ” MOH stated.
Prevention
To prevent the further spread of Mpox, the ministry urges the public to avoid unnecessary travel to countries reporting Mpox outbreaks, avoid direct contact with suspected or confirmed cases, avoid close contact with live or dead animals, and avoid close contact with anyone showing Mpox symptoms.
If caring for such patients, the ministry advised the caregivers to adhere to preventive measures as advised by their health care provider.
