By Samuel Ouma
Five people have died from Mpox in Kenya over the past year, the Ministry of Health has confirmed in its latest update on the outbreak that began in July 2024.
In a press statement issued on Friday, August 1, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reported that a total of 314 cases have been confirmed across 22 counties since the disease was first detected in the country. The current case fatality rate stands at 1.6%.
The hardest-hit counties include Mombasa (146 cases), Busia (63), Nakuru (21), Kilifi (19), and Nairobi (17). Other counties with confirmed infections include Makueni, Taita Taveta, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Kajiado, and Kiambu, among others. In the last 24 hours alone, four new cases were confirmedโthree in Mombasa and one in Nairobi.
At the moment, 33 patients are receiving treatment in various health facilities, while 54 are in home-based isolation. Encouragingly, 222 individuals have recovered fully from the viral infection.
The Ministry also noted that 422 close contacts of confirmed cases have been identified and monitored, with 15 eventually testing positive. Over 4.7 million travellers have been screened at airports and other border points, and 905 suspected samples have been tested, yielding a positivity rate of 34.6%.
To combat the spread, the government has intensified surveillance efforts, working in partnership with county governments and health agencies. Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to affected counties to aid in contact tracing, case investigation, and treatment. Mental health and psychosocial support are also being provided to those impacted by the disease.
Risk communication and community engagement initiatives are ongoing to enhance public awareness and reduce stigma. More than two million people have been sensitized on Mpox prevention, especially at points of entry.
Members of the public are being urged to follow preventive measures, including avoiding close contact with infected persons, not sharing personal items, practising good hygiene, using protective gear when caring for the sick, and reporting symptoms promptly.
The Ministry advises citizens to seek credible information from its website (www.health.go.ke) or contact hotlines 719, *719#, 0729 471 414, and 0732 353 535.
โWe remain committed to controlling the outbreak and protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans,โ said CS Duale.
โWe urge the public to remain vigilant and to adhere to health advisories to curb the spread of the disease.โ
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and, in severe cases, complications that may lead to death.
