The government through the Ministry of Health says that there is no active case of Mpox disease in the country following the recovery of the index case that was identified on July 29, 2024.
In a statement on Friday, August 16, 2024, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the government has so far screened 12 persons who came into contact with the index case and another six different suspected cases all of whom have tested negative for the disease.
On July 13, 2024, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak as a public health emergency of continental concern (PHECS).
The following day, the World Health Organization similarly declared the event as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
“These two declarations by the continental and global health bodies are similar and highlight the public health threat posed by this outbreak and the need for an immediate and coordinated international response to control the disease,” Barasa stated.
“The Ministry wishes to clarify to the public that the Mpox situation in Kenya is as follows: Kenya has reported only one case of Mpox, a person who travelled from Kampala in Uganda to Mombasa, then to Rwanda via Tanzania through Taita Taveta one-stop border point. This individual has since made full recovery and is now well. We have screened twelve (12) persons who came into contact with the index case and another six (6) different suspected cases all of whom have tested negative for the disease.”
Barasa says the Ministry of Health is undertaking various response measures to prevent new cases of the disease, including enhanced surveillance to detect all any suspected cases, activation of Public Health Emergency Operation Centers and establishing the Incident Management Teams across the country.
“The Ministry of Health continues to issue advisories to healthcare workers to sensitize them on Mpox, guide the identification of cases, as well as infection prevention and control measures. Active efforts have been made to sensitize the public and engage communities on risk perception and prevention measures.
Mpox Preventive Measures,” Barasa stated
Among the key preventive measures issued by the government include frequent handwashing with soap and water, or using alcohol-based sanitiser and avoiding contact with individuals showing Mpox-like symptoms.
Mpox symptoms
Among the most visible symptoms of Mpox, which typically last for two to four weeks, include skin rash, sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph glands.
“If you or your loved one experience above signs and symptoms and have a history of travelling to an area reporting Mpox cases, or have come into direct contact with someone with such signs and symptoms, tell anyone you have been in close contact with in the last 21 days to report to the nearest health facility and provide such information, visit the nearest health facility for assessment by a qualified health professional, cover lesions and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people,” she added
“Avoid physical contact with others.”
Several countries have reported active cases of Mpox across the globe.
More than 17,000 suspected Mpox cases and 517 deaths have been reported on the African continent so far this year, a 160 per cent increase in cases compared to the same period last year, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said.
