The government has announced the arrival of 10,700 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Nordic (MVA-BN) Mpox vaccines to control the ongoing outbreak.
This has been done through collaborative efforts and support from the Africa CDC, World Health Organisation, UNICEF and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
In a statement by Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale, the arrival marks a significant milestone in the national response to interrupt the chain of transmission and limit further spread of Mpox in the community.
He added that the Mpox vaccination will be used as an additional public health measure as part of the comprehensive Mpox outbreak response in addition to other outbreak interventions to control the outbreaks, such as enhanced surveillance including at the 26 points of entry, contact tracing, testing of suspected cases, as well as risk communication and community engagement.
The additional intervention is coming in response to the recent upsurge in Mpox cases in the country, causing a sharp rise of 100 percent in cases, which has doubled the disease burden since December 31, 2024.
Since the outbreak on July 31, 2024, 67 Mpox cases have been confirmed so far from 13 counties that include Busia (22), Mombasa (12), Nakuru (10), Makueni (6), Bungoma (3), Nairobi (3), Kajiado (2), Taita Taveta (2), Kericho (2), Kilifi (2), Kiambu (1), Uasin Gishu (1) and Migori (1).
The CS confirmed that of the reported cases, 49 patients have recovered, 10 are currently admitted and 7 are under home-based care. One death has been reported, bringing the case fatality rate to 1.5 percent.
Three hundred and twenty-seven (327) contacts have been listed from the confirmed cases, 274 of which have been followed up for 21 days, 13 contacts have contracted Mpox and 40 are currently on follow-up.
Cumulatively, 4,111,811 travellers screened in 26 points of entry as part of enhancing surveillance for the disease. Laboratory testing of suspected cases continues, and the National Public Health Laboratory has received 485 samples; 67 have tested positive (positivity rate: 13.8 percent ) and 414 tested negative.
“The MVA-BN vaccine has demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing Mpox disease severity, transmission risk and mortality. The vaccine effectiveness (VE) is estimated to be 80 percent for 2 doses given four weeks apart, Duale said.
The CS confirmed high-risk groups for vaccination as individuals who have had close physical contact with confirmed Mpox cases, individuals who engage in behaviours that increase their risk of Mpox exposure, such as long-distance truck drivers and sex workers, and also health care workers.
“We urge Kenyans to protect themselves from Mpox by adhering to the recommended public health preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact with suspected or confirmed Mpox cases and sharing personal items, practising good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, limiting sexual partners and also reporting any suspected symptoms to the nearest facility,” Duale said in the statement while also urging all to counter misinformation through social media by monitoring and verifying information received.
By Wesley Ezekiel
