Ministry of Health reveals Mpox symptoms to look out for

The Ministry of Health has issued an alert following Mpox outbreak in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, August 8, 2024, the Ministry listed seven symptoms that could indicate a Mpox patient.

Among the symptoms include skin rash, fever, fore throat, headache, body aches, back pain and swollen lymph nodes.

“Following a reported case of Mpox in the country, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with County Governments, Port Health Authorities, and other stakeholders, is implementing comprehensive measures to prevent further spread and safeguard your health,” the statement read in part.

Ministry of Health says symptoms appear 2-21 days after infection.

“If you have travelled to a country with Mpox cases or come into contact with someone who has, and experience these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention,” the statement added.

Mpox patient recovers

This comes a day after Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health Mary Muthoni confirmed that the first patient has recovered.

The first patient, who was a truck driver, was identified on July 22, 2024, along the Taveta One Stop Border Point.

“The patient was isolated at Taveta Sub-County Hospital where the clinicians suspected either chickenpox or Mpox. Skin lesion samples were taken. Results from the National Public Health Laboratories detected Mpox on July 29, 2024. This was validated by other reference laboratories in the national laboratory network,” PS Muthoni explained.

The ministry has launched a drive to identify everyone he interacted with.

With the disease being highly infectious, the Ministry of Health indicated that it has started tracing all his close contacts at his workplace, at the hospital where he was admitted and along his travel routes.

“The patient has travelled through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. So, we are working with our neighbouring countries to identify any contacts and any other potential cases. There is an active mpox outbreak in DRC, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda,” the Ministry of Health stated.

Further, the Ministry announced that no other case has been recorded in the country.