In a statement released on Wednesday, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki provided specifics of the outbreak. Kenya’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed an outbreak of monkey pox at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point.
The reported case involves a traveler from Uganda to Rwanda passing through Kenya, raising concerns about potential regional transmission of the disease.
“The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Mpox in Kenya at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point (OSBP), from an individual travelling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya,” the statement read.
Mpox is a viral infection characterised by a skin rash, mucosal lesions, fever, headaches, generalised pains, and enlarged lymph nodes. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with contagious skin sores or respiratory droplets from infected people.
The Health Ministry stated that Kenya’s large population movement along its Northern and Central transport corridors heightens the potential of regional transmission.
““Mpox is endemic in the forested areas of East, Central, and West Africa. Since May 2022, a multi-country outbreak has been ongoing globally with peak cases in August 2022 and June-November 2023,” the statement added.
The Ministry made it clear that even one incidence of the mpox counts as an outbreak. Since multiple countries in the region are already reporting cases, there is a major danger of regional transmission due to the high population movement between Kenya and other East African nations, particularly along the Northern and Central transit corridors.
Confirmatory laboratory testing from skin lesions is required for the diagnosis of mpox. This can be done in Kenya at the National Public Health Laboratory and other specialised facilities. In most situations, the disease goes away without any problems in 2-4 weeks, but in more severe cases, symptomatic therapy can be required.
The Ministry of Health has issued a public health advice, recommending the public to take the following actions to protect themselves and prevent the spread of Mpox:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser. If you are experiencing symptoms, get medical assistance, avoid close contact with people, and go to the nearest health centre for treatment. Avoid close contact with anyone suspected or proven to have Mpox.
The Health Ministry informed the public that it was committed to limiting the epidemic and preventing the disease from spreading further. The Ministry is collaborating with county governments, Port Health Authorities, and other relevant authorities to improve surveillance, report suspected cases, and communicate preventive actions to the general public.
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