Health CS addresses mpox misinformation, clarifies suspected vs confirmed cases

The Ministry of Health has issued a warning about misinformation circulating on social media concerning mpox, emphasising the need to differentiate between suspected and confirmed cases.

In a media briefing on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo clarified that Kenya has reported only one confirmed case of Mpox, a traveller from Taita Taveta, who has since recovered.

Two suspected cases, reported last week in Kiambu County and Kisii County, remain unconfirmed.

The Ministry confirmed Kenya's first and only mpox case on July 31, 2024. The patient, a 42-year-old male long-distance truck driver from Kinoo, Kiambu County, had travelled from Kampala, Uganda, to Mombasa, Kenya, on July 12, 2024.

He was detected at a border point in Taveta while on his way to Rwanda through Tanzania and has fully recovered.

Mulongo stressed the importance of accurate information and cautioned against confusing suspected cases with confirmed ones.

“We want to remind everyone that suspected cases are not confirmed cases,” she stated.

Acknowledging the media's role in information dissemination, Mulongo urged reporters to exercise caution when covering unverified details.

FILE PHOTO: Christian Musema, a laboratory nurse, takes a sample from a child declared a suspected case Mpox - an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus that spark-off a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever; at the the treatment centre in Munigi, following Mpox cases in Nyiragongo territory near Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo July 19, 2024. REUTERS

“We are always available to provide the latest updates,” she added.

In response, the Ministry has activated the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre and the Incident Management System for mpox, working in coordination with other ministries, county governments, and partners.

The Ministry has deployed National Rapid Response Teams to assist counties with suspected cases and has now operationalised 25 County Emergency Operation Centres to coordinate efforts nationwide.

It further reported that 12 individuals who were in contact with the index case, as well as six other suspected cases, have been screened and tested negative for mpox.

No new confirmed cases have been reported since the initial case. At the ports of entry, 302,436 individuals have been screened, with most suspected cases identified through contact tracing related to the initial patient.

In total, 29 suspected cases have been identified: 23 have tested negative, while six are still awaiting confirmation from the reference laboratory.

The Ministry also advised the public to take preventive measures to curb the spread of mpox. These include frequent handwashing with soap and water using alcohol-based hand sanitiser and avoiding contact with individuals displaying mpox-like symptoms.

Among the symptoms are a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and a fever. While most individuals recover fully, some may experience severe illness.