Mombasa: Mombasa County has ramped up its Mpox surveillance and response measures amid rising cases, partnering with M©decins Sans Fronti¨res (MSF) and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) to curb further spread. Since last year's outbreak, 182 cases have been confirmed across Mvita, Nyali, Kisauni, Likoni, Jomvu, and Changamwe, according to the Department of Health Services.
According to Kenya News Agency, Fatma Ali, Manager of Public Health Emergency Operations, Department of Health Services, says that Nyali and Likoni Sub-Counties have recorded the highest number of cases with the most affected age group being 25-44 years. The youngest case is a four-month-old baby. Ali highlighted the presence of community transmission, necessitating heightened response activities at the county level.
The Emergency Operation Centre is active and swiftly responding to the cases, with local testing of samples. Previously, samples were sent to the National Public Health Laboratory. The Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital - Utange Field Hospital in Kisauni Sub-County has been designated to handle Mpox cases up to the recovery stage.
Ali further noted that patient care includes mental and psychosocial support, and emphasized the importance of risk communication and community engagement through media and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to raise awareness about the Mpox outbreak and prevention measures.
At the Utange Field Hospital, strict protocols are enforced, starting from the gate where suspected Mpox patients first meet CHPs for symptom assessment before proceeding to the red zone area for triage by a Clinician and a Nurse. Patients eligible for admission are taken to a secluded unit where all processes occur within the red zone.
Eva Odhiambo, a Clinician with MSF, explained that the hospital does not treat Mpox in isolation but also addresses other comorbidities. Patients are discharged when lesions have crusted and new skin has started forming, indicating they can no longer transmit the disease. Odhiambo mentioned that although there are no antivirals for Mpox, medics manage symptoms like lesions, itchiness, and pain, with specialists on standby for complications like blindness and deafness.
Aisha Al-Hussain, KRCS County Coordinator, stated that collaboration with the County Government and other stakeholders has been deepened to train CHPs and conduct sensitisation. The Red Cross has provided PPE, medical supplies, and items for setting up an isolation center, and has engaged in door-to-door sensitisation, reaching over 12,000 community members in the last 20 days.