Kenya Mpox cases rise to 137 as 9 more confirmed

Kenya has recorded nine additional mpox cases, bringing the national tally to 137.

According to the Ministry of Health, new cases have been reported in counties outside the Northern Transport Corridor.

They are distributed across 17 counties as follows: Busia (48), Mombasa (37), Nakuru (16), Makueni (10), Nairobi (5), Kajiado (3), Bungoma (3), Taita Taveta (2), Kericho (2), Kilifi (2), Kiambu (1), Uasin Gishu (1), Migori (1), Machakos (2), Isiolo (1), Kisii (1) and Kirinyaga (1).

Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, revealed that a total of 400 contacts have been identified, and 315 have been monitored for the recommended 21-day period. Of those, nine contacts tested positive for Mpox.

“Additionally, over 4.8 million travellers have been screened at the Points of Entry, and suspected cases are identified for further investigation. Suspected Mpox samples are tested at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and partner laboratories. 597 samples have undergone testing, of which 137 have tested positive,” she said in a statement.

To accelerate the response to the outbreak in affected areas,  the Ministry, in collaboration with the Counties and partners, has announced strengthened surveillance through active case search, contact listing, tracing, investigation, and symptomatic management of confirmed cases.

The Ministry has also enhanced public awareness. So far, it has disseminated 15 million SMSs via Safaricom to raise community awareness on Mpox.

Additionally, members of the public can access mpox prevention and control messages by calling 719 or by dialling *719# free of charge.

The Principal Secretary has assured the public of the government’s continued commitment to combating the viral disease.

“The Ministry of Health remains committed to controlling the Mpox virus outbreak and protecting the health and safety of all Kenyans. We appreciate the continued efforts by the public in helping us combat this outbreak and safeguarding the well-being of our republic.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday reiterated that the Mpox outbreak remains a public health emergency.

Speaking during an International Health Regulations meeting, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the mpox upsurge still meets the threshold of a public health emergency.

The health body is now revising temporary recommendations to the current member states experiencing the outbreak.

The recommendations are meant to guide the affected countries in their efforts to prevent and control the outbreak.