Health Ministry calls on counties to reactivate Covid-19 isolation centers amid growing Mpox fears

Principal Secretary for Public Health, Mary Muthoni, addresses port officials at the Kilindini Harbour on Sunday, August 18, 2024. (Photo: PS Mary Muthoni)

By Charity Kilei
Wednesday, August 21, 2024

The ministry has also intensified surveillance at sea, land, and air entry points to prevent the spread of Mpox.

The Ministry of Health has urged counties to reopen COVID-19 isolation centres in light of growing concerns over an MPOX outbreak. While only one case has been officially confirmed in Taita Taveta, several other counties have reported suspected cases.

In a Wednesday interview with Mediamax, Public Health Secretary Mary Muthoni outlined the ministry's efforts to curb the spread of Mpox nationwide. "We are bolstering coordination between national and county governments to manage this situation effectively," she stated.

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Muthoni explained that the confirmed case in Taita Taveta led the ministry to provide additional support to the counties, including heightened surveillance and the activation of public health emergency operations.

"We've activated our public health emergency operations centre and have 25 additional centres across the country, with enhanced surveillance in all 47 counties," she added.

The ministry has also intensified surveillance at sea, land, and air entry points to prevent the spread of Mpox.

"We have strengthened exit and entry points with temperature checks and thorough screening of all individuals," Muthoni noted.

A test tube labelled "Mpox virus positive" is held in this illustration taken August 20, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic)

Additionally, the ministry is educating operators on the signs and symptoms of Mpox to ensure early detection and response. Muthoni mentioned that although there is currently no Mpox vaccine available in the country, the ministry is in consultations with WHO and the Africa CDC to secure WHO-approved vaccines in the future.

The Health Ministry reported that 21,350 travellers were screened the previous day, bringing the total number of screenings to 302,436 since the start of surveillance.

Kenya officially declared an Mpox outbreak on July 31, 2024, after a case was confirmed in Taveta Sub-County, Taita Taveta County. The patient has since recovered and has been discharged from the hospital. None of the 12 contacts of the confirmed case showed any symptoms during the 21-day surveillance period.

The counties of Kiambu, Kisii, and Migori have also been placed on high alert as part of the ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak.

At the border points, one will find active measures like thermoguns, thermoscanners, personal protective equipment, handwashing stations, and hand sanitisers, according to the ministry. Additionally, efforts are being made to educate the public on how to prevent Mpox.