Kenya has now confirmed a total of nine Mpox cases, following the verification of one additional case. The National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) has tested 227 samples, with 211 negative results and seven currently under testing, Health CS Deborah Barasa announced.
The first case of Mpox in Kenya was identified on July 24, 2024, involving a male truck driver at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point (OSBP). The latest case, according to CS Barasa, involves a 37-year-old male truck driver who had traveled to Rwanda and Uganda.
“Our surveillance team in Nakuru county identified the case,” CS Barasa confirmed.
The nine confirmed cases are distributed across eight counties: Nakuru (2), Makueni (1), Kajiado (1), Taita-Taveta (1), Busia (1), Nairobi (1), Mombasa (1), and Bungoma (1).
CS Barasa emphasized that no deaths have been recorded among the confirmed cases. Currently, 68 contacts are being monitored following a 21-day observation period. Public health teams, along with Community Health Promoters (CHPs), are supervising the remaining seven contacts. One of these contacts has tested positive for Mpox.
In the last 24 hours alone, 15,541 travelers were screened at various Points of Entry (POEs), with a total of 1,128,976 travelers inspected since the start of the outbreak, according to CS Barasa.
To prevent further spread, Kenyans are urged to avoid close physical contact with individuals showing symptoms of Mpox, limit the number of sexual partners, and avoid touching items like clothing or bedding used by infected individuals.
Additionally, CS Barasa advised regular handwashing with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer and cautioned against contact with wild animals and the consumption of bushmeat.
“With vigilance and adherence to health advice, we can work together to contain this outbreak,” CS Barasa stated.
