The Kenya National Public Health Institute [KNPHI] has issued an alert to all counties following the outbreak of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) in South Ethiopia.
In a notice on Tuesday, November 18, KNPHI urged counties to be vigilant and put in place response measures to prevent the spread of the virus to Kenya.
MVD outbreak was confirmed in the Jinka area in South Ethiopia following laboratory testing of samples from a cluster of suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever.
“The Kenya National Public Health Institute [KNPHI] urges all counties to remain vigilant and strengthen preparedness and response measures to prevent the introduction and spread of Marburg virus disease (MVD) to Kenya,” read the notice in part.
KNPHI advised counties to ensure immediate public health preparedness measures, including enhanced surveillance, case management preparedness, infection prevention and control, and risk communication and community engagement.
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The institute also urged members of the public to practice regular hand hygiene and safe food handling
Kenyans were also advised to avoid contact with infectious fluids and observe safe burial practices.
“By sustaining these measures and fostering ongoing collaboration, Kenya aims to mitigate the risk of Marburg virus spread and safeguard public health effectively,” the instate stated.
According to KNPHI, the Marburg virus is in the same family of viruses that cause Ebola virus disease.
The virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and spreads among people through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials.
Symptoms of the disease include high fever, severe headache, severe malaise, muscle aches, and pains.
Others include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, and a non-itchy rash.
The advisory comes a year after the Mpox disease broke out in the country.
On August 1, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said a total of 314 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began.
CS Duale noted that 5 people succumbed to the disease since July 2024, while 222 cases have fully recovered.
“A total of 33 cases are currently admitted in various facilities across the country, while 54 cases are under home-based isolation and care.
"Further, 222 cases have fully recovered. Unfortunately, five (5) cases have succumbed to the disease since the onset of the outbreak (Case fatality rate: 1.6%),” Duale stated.
The Mpox cases have been reported across 22 counties including Mombasa (146), Busia (63), and Nakuru (21), Kilifi (19), Nairobi (17), Makueni (13), Taita Taveta (5), Uasin Gishu (5), Bungoma (4), Kajiado (3), Kakamega (3), Kiambu (3), Kericho (2), Machakos (2), Migori (1), Kisii (1), Kirinyaga (1), Isiolo (1), Kitui (1), Narok (1), Baringo (1), and Trans-Nzoia (1).
