The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced the outbreak of Mpox in Kenya.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 31, MoH said the first case of Mpox was reported at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point from an individual traveling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya.
“The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Mpox in Kenya at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point (OSBP), from an individual traveling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya,” read the statement in part.
Mpox formerly monkeypox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus. patients present with skin rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, generalized aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
According to MoH person-to-person transmission of Mpox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on the genitals. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets.
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“Mpox is endemic in the forested areas of East, Central, and West Africa. Since May 2022, a multi-country outbreak has been ongoing globally with peak cases in August 2022 and June-November 2023. A single case of Mpox is considered an outbreak,” the Ministry stated.
MoH noted that the high population movement between Kenya and other East African countries especially through the Northern and Central transport corridors is a significant risk for regional transmission since countries in the region are currently reporting cases.
The Ministry mentioned that diagnosis of Mpox is done through confirmatory laboratory tests from the skin lesions.
These tests can be done in the National Public Health Laboratory and other specialized laboratories in the country.
“M-pox usually resolves without complications within 2-4 weeks. Symptomatic treatment may however be offered to patients if necessary. Complicated cases should be referred to medical professionals for specialized treatment,” MoH added.
Mpox has similar features to chicken pox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, and allergic reactions, among others.
The Health Ministry advised members of the public to wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer and to avoid close contact with persons suspected or confirmed to have the disease.
MoH also asked Kenyans with Mpox symptoms to seek health advice, avoid close contact with other persons, and visit the nearest health facility for management.
