By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ministry of Health has reported two new mpox laboratory confirmed cases in Nakuru and Mombasa respectively.
According to the Ministry the two new cases have raised the Mpox diagnosis to thirty one cases since the outbreak of the disease.
Nakuru has so far registered the highest number of Mpox cases with 10 confirmed cases, followed by Mombasa with 8 cases and Nairobi 2 infections.
“The Ministry would like to inform the public of two (2) additional laboratory confirmed cases of Mpox reported in Nakuru (1) and Mombasa (1) counties. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to thirty one (31) since the outbreak began,” stated MOH.
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent public health advisory following a concerning rise in Mpox cases across Kenya. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to controlling the outbreak while emphasizing the importance of public cooperation during the festive season to curb further spread.
According to the reports, 217 contacts have been identified, 204 of whom have been monitored for 21 days, nine contacts tested positive for Mpox and 4 contacts are under a follow up.
Efforts to manage the outbreak include enhanced laboratory testing capacity at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and robust response measures to isolate suspected and confirmed cases.
Additionally, over 2.6 million travelers have been screened at points of entry. Suspected cases are subjected to further investigation and testing at National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and partner laboratories. Of the 351 samples tested, 31 have returned positive results.
With increased travel and social gatherings during the holidays, the Ministry has provided the following health guidelines:
Avoid close contact with individuals displaying Mpox symptoms, including rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based sanitizers.
- Refrain from sharing personal items, such as utensils, towels, or clothing.
- Avoid handling sick animals or consuming products derived from wild animals.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an unexplained rash or other Mpox symptoms.
In a statement, the Ministry has intensified efforts to ensure access to medical assistance for suspected Mpox cases.
“To accelerate the response to the outbreak in hotspot counties, the Ministry, in collaboration with its partners, has deployed a multidisciplinary rapid response team to assist with active case search, contact tracing, investigation, and the symptomatic management of the confirmed cases, including offering mental health and psychosocial support,” read the statement.
In her statement, Mary Muthoni,Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health, has urged all Kenyans to prioritize their health and adhere to the recommended precautions
As Mpox cases rise, the Ministry confirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring a safer, healthier festive period for all Kenyans.