Nairobi: The Ministry of Health has urged the public to continue adhering to the official public health advisories on Mpox and only seek accurate, up-to-date information and guidance from qualified health care professionals. In a statement regarding the Mpox disease outbreak in the country, Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale emphasized the need for the public to disregard any misleading or false information that could hinder public health efforts or cause unnecessary fear and confusion.
According to Kenya News Agency, Duale affirmed the government's commitment to controlling the Mpox outbreak and protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with County Governments and other partners, has intensified surveillance activities across all counties. Multidisciplinary Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to support healthcare workers, actively search for cases, trace contacts, investigate, and manage confirmed cases, including providing mental health and psychosocial support.
Duale confirmed that a total of 314 Mpox cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began in July 2024. These cases have been reported across 22 counties, with the highest numbers in Mombasa (146) and Busia (63). In the last 24 hours, four additional cases have been confirmed in Mombasa County (3 cases) and Nairobi County (1).
Currently, 33 cases are admitted in various facilities across the country, while 54 cases are under home-based isolation and care. '222 cases have fully recovered, but unfortunately, five cases have succumbed to the disease since the onset of the outbreak, with the case fatality rate standing at 1.6 percent,' Duale noted.
A total of 422 contacts of positive cases have been identified, with 392 monitored over the recommended 21 days. Fifteen contacts have tested positive for Mpox, and over 4.7 million travelers have been screened at airports and other points of entry. Suspected cases identified during screenings are subjected to further investigation. Samples from suspected cases are tested at the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) and partner laboratories, with 905 samples tested so far, yielding a positivity rate of 34.6 percent.
Duale highlighted ongoing communication and community engagement activities in the affected counties aimed at enhancing public awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting infection prevention and control measures. Over two million individuals have been sensitized on Mpox at various points of entry.
The public is advised to adhere to preventive measures such as avoiding close contact with suspected or confirmed Mpox cases, not sharing personal items, and practicing personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Duale expressed gratitude to the public and stakeholders for their continued efforts in combating the outbreak and safeguarding the nation's well-being.