Kenya Confirms Second Case Of Mpox Disease

By Dorothy Musyoka

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a second case of Mpox in Kenya, further heightening concerns about its spread.

The patient, an adult male truck driver, was identified at the Malaba One Stop Border Post in Busia County. The individual exhibited symptoms consistent with the disease after traveling from the outbreak epicenter in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement released on Mpox update by the Ministry of Health, Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr. Deborah M. Barasa has confirmed that officials at the border isolated the patient and initiated the necessary protocols to manage the case and prevent further transmission.

“The Ministry wishes to inform the public of a second laboratory confirmed case of the disease in the country, an adult male truck driver who presented to the port Health Screening desk at the Malaba One Stop Border Post-Busia County with salient symptoms of the disease and a history of travel to the epicenter of the outbreak in DRC.The patient has been isolated and is under active management in one of our health facilities in Busia County,” stated CS Deborah.

The Ministry has assured the public that all precautionary measures are being taken to contain the situation, including contact tracing and monitoring of those who may have been in close proximity to the patient.

“Further active surveillance for suspected cases has been enhanced in the region and across all counties to ensure the spread of the disease is controlled,” the statement read in part.

According to MOH forty out of forty two samples submitted to laboratories for Mpox disease have tested negative for the disease with 426,438 travelers screened at different Ports of entry across the country.

The first Mpox disease was reported in the country on July 31st 2024 at Taita-Taveta One Stop Border.

However, the ministry has reassured the public to stay calm, emphasizing that it is fully prepared to diagnose and manage the disease effectively.