Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has revealed that the only reported case in Kenya was that of a truck driver who developed a generalized rash at Taveta One Stop Border Point on July 22, 2024 has been contained. The driver, whose condition was detected by Port Health Officers, was immediately isolated at Taveta Sub-County Hospital.
Initial clinical assessments pointed to either chickenpox or Mpox. Subsequent tests on skin lesion samples, conducted at the National Public Health Laboratories and validated by other reference laboratories, confirmed the presence of Mpox on July 29, 2024.
Despite this success, Kenya remains vigilant. “Due to the infectiousness of Mpox and in accordance with international response guidelines, we began tracing all close contacts of the patient,” stated PS Muthoni.
“This includes individuals at his workplace, the hospital where he was treated, and along his travel routes.”
The recovered patient had traversed Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission. Kenya is now collaborating with neighbouring countries to identify any additional contacts and potential cases.
The urgency is being pushed by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has resulted in nearly 500 deaths since January.
The DRC has reported over 12,300 cases in 2024 alone, with the virus spreading rapidly in remote areas and cities. This outbreak has extended to countries such as Ivory Coast, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, causing widespread alarm.
World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has hinted at convening a panel to consider declaring the outbreak an international public health emergency. Such a declaration would mobilise global resources and attention to combat the virus.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has acted swiftly, deploying rapid response teams to affected counties for detailed investigations. Public Health Emergency Operation Centres have been activated nationwide, and incident management teams are coordinating response activities.
“Our monitoring of the outbreak’s evolution in neighbouring countries is ongoing,” the Ministry stated. “We are prepared to adjust our response measures to mitigate the risk of regional transmission.”
To further curb the spread, the Ministry has advised all counties to educate the public on preventive measures. These include frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitiser, seeking early treatment when infected, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
Kenya’s proactive approach and stringent measures have so far proven effective in preventing the spread of Mpox within its borders. However, the battle is far from over, as regional cooperation and vigilance remain crucial.
“We must remain cautious and prepared,” PS Muthoni emphasized. “Our success in containing Mpox should not lead to complacency. Continued vigilance and cooperation are essential in safeguarding public health.”
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. It can spread by direct contact with an infected person or animal, their body fluids or during physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
According to CDC, the virus can enter the body through broken skin, respiratory tract, eyes, nose. or mouth.
Symptoms of Mpox
The first signs of monkeypox variant are fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, lymph node enlargement.
After a couple of days, a rash starts to develop on the face first and then spreads to other body parts.
The rash can look like chickenpox or syphilis, and scabs can form which then fall off.
The incubation period could be between 6-13 days but can range from 5-21 days.
People who have travelled recently should isolate themselves at home or at a hospital facility to prevent spreading infection. According to CDC, the period of isolation of the natient should be for 3 weeks approx. till the scab falls.
Precautions to follow
– Avoid skin contact with people who a infected or those who have a rash and
may develop mpox.
– Wash hands with soap and water properly or sanitise with alcohol-based sanitizer
– Cough and sneeze into the crook of your arm.
– Do not have unprotected sex with the suspected person.
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