Mombasa leads Kenya’s mpox outbreak as MoH, WHO step up response
The Director-General of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, confirmed that out of the 300 cases recorded nationwide, Mombasa alone accounts for 139, the highest tally thus far.
Mombasa County has emerged as the region with the highest number of mpox cases in the country, prompting swift action from the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to curb the outbreak.
The Director-General of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, confirmed that out of the 300 cases recorded nationwide, Mombasa alone accounts for 139, the highest tally thus far.
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“In light of the numbers we are seeing, it is crucial that we take immediate preventive steps. We are working hand in hand with WHO to launch a targeted vaccination campaign, and a specific date for this exercise will be made public in due course,” Dr Amoth said.
The planned vaccination drive will be accompanied by a nationwide sensitisation campaign aimed at educating the public on how to prevent transmission. Officials hope the dual approach of immunisation and awareness will help reduce new infections, particularly in coastal regions.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated material.
Symptoms typically include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. Though generally less severe than smallpox, the disease can pose serious health risks, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The health ministry is urging residents, especially those living in densely populated urban areas like Mombasa, to maintain high hygiene standards and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear.
Meanwhile, concerns had been raised over the deaths of four individuals in the Migadini area of Changamwe Constituency, with locals fearing they might be linked to mpox.
However, Dr Amoth clarified that medical examinations revealed the fatalities were due to unrelated illnesses.
“We want to reassure the public that the deaths in Migadini were not Mpox-related. Accurate information is essential in managing public health concerns, and we call on the public to avoid speculation,” he said.
MoH is expected to release further guidelines in the coming days as part of its continued response to the outbreak.
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