Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has assured Kenyans that the government has put up measures to contain the possible spread of Mpox disease after an outbreak was reported in the Eastern part of the continent.
He reiterated that the government was on high alert to ensure any cases that arise were promptly contained; hence, there is no cause for alarm or stigma associated with the highly contagious disease.
Speaking during the launch of the Epuka Uchafu Afya Nyumbani public awareness campaign in Kapenguria Town, PS Muthoni said the Ministry of Health (MoH) has been working round the clock to ensure any suspected cases of the disease have been handled accordingly.
She revealed that so far, only two Mpox virus-positive cases have been reported in the country to date, with one of the victims having been successfully treated and discharged to travel back to their country.
The PS noted that in stringent efforts to combat the spread of the disease in the country, over 400 truck drivers have been so far screened for the Mpox virus at various cross-border points.
“Kenya doesn’t have a high Mpox prevalence, but because of our neighbourhoods, we must be on high alert as a country because there are so many complex cross-border movements within the region, especially among truck drivers,” posed PS Muthoni.
She clarified that Mpox should not be confused with COVID-19, although it is contracted through coming into close contact with an affected person, hence the need to observe the spelled-out preventive health protocols.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Mpox virus spreads from person-to-person through close contact, which includes skin-to-skin (such as touching or sex) and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact (such as kissing), and can also include being face-to-face with someone who has it (such as talking or breathing close to another), which can generate infectious respiratory particles.
“This disease does not necessarily call for the wearing of masks, but we should enhance human cleanliness and avoid very close contact with suspected cases. As a ministry, we have put up measures to ensure that those posing Mpox symptoms are isolated, tested, and, if found positive, treated. We are also doing contact tracing in case a person who had close interaction with other people,” stated the PS.
The PS maintained that the MoH has instituted proper surveillance mechanisms, thus the situation in the country is under control, with many people along the Kenyan borders being under enhanced screening.
During the event, West Pokot County revealed that there was a suspected case, but after the tests and screening, the person turned out to be negative.
By Richard Muhambe and Erickson Kiprotich
