Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed the first MPOX case in Kenya at the Taita Taveta one-Stop border point in what is considered an outbreak of the illness in the country.
Principal Secretary(PS) for state department for public health and Professional standards, Mary Muthoni, confirmed the case noting that an individual travelling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya tested positive for the disease at the border point.
Although not much information has been issued about the individual, the PS called for Kenyans to exercise caution and observe quality hygiene standard practices to avoid contracting the transmittable disease.
“We have confirmed the first MPOX case in Kenya therefore we urge the public to stay vigilant, avoid close contact persons suspected or confirmed to have MPOX as well as make sure to wash hands more often with soap and water or use hand sanitizers,” advised the PS.
She also added that any slight suspicions of oneself having symptoms of the disease should immediately seek health advice from the nearest health facility to avoid the risk of transmission.
MPOX(formerly monkeypox), is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus whose symptoms include skin rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, generalized aches as well as swollen lymph nodes.
Additionally, the disease is transmittable from person to person through direct contact with infectious skin or other body organ such as the mouth or the genitals as well as through respiratory droplets.
The MPOX disease also resolves without complications within 2-4 weeks, however, symptomatic treatment may be offered to patients if necessary while the complicated cases need to be referred to medical professionals for specialized treatment.
Furthermore, the MoH says that the disease is most notably endemic in forested areas of East, Central and West Africa.
“The high population movement between Kenya and other East African Countries, especially through the Northern and Central transport corridors, pose a significant risk for regional transmission since several countries in the region are currently reporting cases,” said PS Mary Muthoni.
According to MoH, a multi-country outbreak of the disease has been ongoing globally since May 2022, with peak cases being reported in August the same year and between June and November 2023 therefore making a single case of MPOX to be considered an outbreak.
The PS assured the public of the Ministry’s commitment to contain the outbreak to prevent further spread of the disease by working with county governments, port health authorities and other relevant government Agencies to enhance surveillance, report suspected cases as well as give information on preventive measures to the general public.
