By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ministry of Health has reported one additional Mpox case in Nakuru County, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 18.
“Our laboratories have confirmed one(1) new case from Nakuru county.This brings the total number of confirmed cases to eighteen (18),” stated MOH.
According to a statement released by the ministry Nakuru has so far registered four cases, Nairobi,Mombasa, Kajiado and Bungoma haing two cases each.
Additionally Taita Taveta, Busia, Makueni, Kericho, Uasing Gishu and Kilifi has reported one case each.
“Currently four (4) cases are under management, while 14 individuals have fully recovered.Additionally, 115 contacts have been identified, with 80 completing the required 21- day follow-up.Three of these contacts have tested positive for mpox and thirty two remain under follow-up,” read the statement.
However 1,900,967 travelers have been screened at various Points of Entry (POE) since the onset of the outbreak, with 14,311 screened in the screened in the last 24 hours.
Additionally the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) has received a total of 296 samples for testing where 18 have tested positive, 272 tested negative and six samples are yet to be concluded.
The Ministry continues to enhance surveillance systems and monitor the outbreak within the region. It also calls for collective responsibility to mitigate the risk of further infections.
To curb the spread of Mpox, the Ministry urges Kenyans to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures: avoiding close contact with infected individuals or their belongings,maintaining good hygiene, including regular hand washing or the use of sanitizer and limit the number of sexual partners to reduce exposure risk.