Ministry of Health sets up taskforce for mpox and Marburg virus preparedness
By Charity Kilei |
The taskforce's proactive initiatives reflect a commitment to strengthening disease prevention, preparedness, and response frameworks.
In response to recent outbreaks of the Marburg virus and mpox in Kenya, the Ministry of Health has established the National Taskforce for Response to Mpox and Preparedness for Marburg Virus Disease.
The ministry, alongside various stakeholders, convened to assess progress, enhance coordination, and strengthen Kenya's preparedness against mpox and the emerging threat of Marburg virus disease (MVD).
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Participants included key stakeholders from the government, the Council of Governors, county governments, health partners, and officials from relevant ministries and State departments.
In a statement, Principal Secretary Muthoni Maru emphasised the government's unwavering commitment to tackling the challenges posed by mpox and MVD.
"Through ongoing collaboration, the goal is to eliminate the mpox outbreak and ensure robust readiness for any future health threats," said Muthoni
Since its establishment on September 9, 2024, the taskforce has focused on a unified approach to safeguard public health, coordinating a robust response to the ongoing mpox outbreak in Kenya.
Although Kenya has not yet reported any cases of MVD, the taskforce is intensifying surveillance and response strategies, especially due to increased travel and trade with Rwanda, where an outbreak has been confirmed. Efforts include establishing dedicated treatment units and implementing training programs for health workers.
Training and capacity building
A comprehensive training plan has been developed to enhance healthcare workers' skills in managing both mpox and Marburg virus disease, ensuring nationwide readiness.
The taskforce has been reaffirmed as the national coordination body for managing outbreaks, with the Ministry of Health overseeing operational aspects through the incident management system to provide cohesive leadership.
All government ministries, departments, agencies, counties, and partners have been urged to intensify their efforts to eradicate mpox and prepare for potential cases of MVD.
The taskforce's proactive initiatives reflect a commitment to strengthening disease prevention, preparedness, and response frameworks.
Kenya is among the affected countries, reporting 14 mpox cases and one death. The confirmed cases are spread across various Nakuru (2), Kajiado (2), Bungoma (2), Taita Taveta (1), Busia (1), Nairobi (1), Mombasa (1), Makueni (1), Kericho (1), Kilifi (1), and Uasin Gishu (1).
Of the cases, eight individuals have fully recovered, while five remain under treatment.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa confirmed the country's efforts to manage the outbreak, noting that contact tracing remains a priority.
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