CS Barasa Announces Second Mpox Case

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has announced the second Mpox disease case in the country.

In a statement on Friday, August 23, CS Barasa said the case was confirmed after an adult truck driver at the Malaba One Stop Border in Busia County was screened.

The Health CS noted that the driver has a history of traveling to DDRC which is the epicenter of the Mpox disease.

“The Ministry wishes to inform the public of a second laboratory-confirmed case of the disease in the country; an adult male truck driver who presented to the Port Health screening desk at the Malaba One Stop Border Post - Busia County with salient symptoms of the disease and a history of travel to the epicenter of the outbreak in DRC,” read the statement in part.

CS Barasa said the patient has been isolated and is under active management in a health facility in Busia County.

She mentioned that since the declaration of the first case of Mpox disease on July 31, 28 contacts have completed a 21-day follow-up period without developing symptoms and have been discharged from active follow-up.

“To date, a total of forty-two (42) samples have been submitted to our laboratories for Mpox disease testing, out of which forty (40) samples have tested negative for the disease. In addition, we have screened a total of 426,438 travelers at our various Ports of Entry across the country,” Barasa stated.

The Health CS further emphasized that health facilities are adequately staffed and well-equipped to diagnose and manage Mpox and therefore its identification should not be a cause for alarm.

Barasa called on Kenyans to regularly wash hands with soap and running water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and to practice good hygiene and avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting Mpox-like symptoms.

CS Barasa also advised members of the public to Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, utensils, or clothing materials.