The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency one day ago, and since then, the Ministry of Health has increased surveillance nationwide to find any further cases.
In a statement to newsrooms on Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa stated that the ministry has formed crisis management teams around the nation and activated public health emergency operation centers.
According to her, the ministry would keep updating health professionals on the disease’s state and educating them on how to spot and stop cases of this kind should they occur.
The public was reassured by CS Barasa that there has only been one case of the illness reported in Kenya, involving a truck driver who has now recovered. The driver had crossed the Taita Taveta one stop border post on his way from Mombasa, Kenya, to Rwanda and Tanzania.
The ministry has since checked 12 people who came into contact with the driver and an additional six suspected cases, all of whom tested negative for the disease, according to the Health CS.
A portion of the announcement said, “No new confirmed cases of Mpox have been reported in the country since the first confirmed case.”
The monkeypox virus is the infectious agent that causes mpox, an illness that is spread through close contact and manifests as fever, lymph node swelling, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back discomfort.
Preventive interventions include avoiding contact with those with Mpox-like symptoms and regularly washing hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
In addition, the ministry requested that Kenyans report to the closest office in the event that they encounter the symptoms.
“The ministry remains committed to the health and safety of all Kenyans and appreciates the cooperation of the public, the media and all stakeholders in managing and preventing the spread of the disease,” said CS Barasa.
