The Ministry of Health has reassured Kenyans that there is no active case of Mpox disease in the country and that the one patient who had contracted the disease has since recovered fully and is now well.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa explained that Kenya has reported only one case of Mpox involving a person who travelled from Kampala in Uganda to Mombasa, then proceeded to Rwanda via Tanzania through the Taita Taveta one-stop-border point.
“We have screened twelve 12 persons who came into contact with the index case and another six different suspected cases, all of whom have tested negative for the disease,” said Dr. Barasa in a statement on Friday.
The CS explained that on the 13th of July, 2024, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Concern (PHECC), while the following day the World Health Organisation similarly declared the event as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Dr. Barasa said that the Ministry of Health continues to undertake various response measures to prevent new cases of the disease, including heightened surveillance activities across the country to detect all suspected cases, activating the Public Health Emergency Operation Centres, and establishing the Incident Management Teams across the country.
“As a ministry, we have also issued advisories as we call on our healthcare workers to sensitise the public on the identification of Mpox cases as well as infection prevention and control measures,” said CS Barasa.
She said that they have been advising people to undertake frequent hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitiser and avoid contact with individuals showing Mpox-like symptoms.
Dr. Barasa explained that the disease presents with signs and symptoms which include skin rash, sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph glands, which typically last for two to four weeks.
“If you or your loved one experience the above signs and symptoms and have a history of travelling to an area reporting Mpox cases, or have come into direct contact with someone with such signs and symptoms, kindly tell anyone you have been in close contact with in the last 21 days to report to the nearest health facility and provide such information,” advised the CS.
Dr. Barasa called on all those who have such symptoms to visit the nearest health facility for assessment by a qualified health professional, cover the lesions, wear a well-fitting mask when around other people, and avoid physical contact with others.
“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 Dr. Barasa.
The CS said that as a Ministry they are dedicated to providing timely updates as more information becomes available and ensuring the health and safety of all Kenyans.
“We, however, urge all members of the public and stakeholders, including the media, to verify any information on Mpox with the Ministry on the hotline numbers 719, 0729471414, or 0732 353535 before releasing it to the public,” said Dr. Barasa.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
