Health Ministry confirms third mpox case in Kenya

The Ministry of Health announced that a third case of Mpox disease had been reported in Nairobi. The patient is a 30-year-old female who recently travelled to Uganda.

Health Director-General Patrick Amoth said on Friday that the patient is currently in stable condition and undergoing management in an isolation unit in Nairobi.

"17 contacts remain under close observation and this positive outcome demonstrates our effective response and management of the disease," Amoth said in a statement on Friday.

Dr. Amoth noted that the second patient diagnosed with Mpox in Kenya has fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital.

The Ministry of Health has screened 582,847 travellers at 26 designated Ports of Entry throughout the country with screening and enhanced surveillance at border points. "Our healthcare facilities are well-equipped to diagnose and manage this disease. There is no need for panic."

To combat stigma and prevent further spread, the ministry will continue to provide important updates through official social media, the press, and public health forums nationwide.

The total number of confirmed Mpox cases in Kenya has now risen to three, with the previous cases detected in Taita Taveta and Busia counties.

Dr. Amoth noted that active surveillance is underway to manage and control the disease's spread. "We have analysed 89 samples for Mpox, with 79 testing negative, three positive, and seven still under examination," he said.

In an interview with Citizen TV, Principal Secretary for Health Mary Muthoni highlighted the elevated risk of Mpox in Kenya due to travel.

"Although Kenya does not have a high prevalence of Mpox, the risk is heightened by increased trade and travel interactions. As a result, we are strengthening border controls and enhancing surveillance," she stated.

Muthoni highlighted that Kenya has screened 566,000 travellers at entry points, trained staff, and enhanced border surveillance. She urged the public to remain calm, emphasising that the situation regarding Mpox is being effectively managed and that the authorities are well-prepared to address any new cases that may arise.

The recent surge in Mpox cases across various parts of Africa, along with the emergence of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, has been declared a global emergency.

This outbreak, characterised by a particularly dangerous strain that spreads easily from human to human, poses a significant threat worldwide. After Mpox's initial neglect in Africa and the global outbreak in 2022, the situation has now been declared a health emergency once again in 2024.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the continent requires 10 million doses of Mpox vaccines to halt the disease's spread, which has recently been declared a public health emergency.

However, experts warn that the global shortage of Mpox vaccines will impact vaccination efforts in Africa. Nigeria is the first African country to receive Mpox vaccine donations, while Kenya is still awaiting its supply, which will be distributed based on need.