What one needs to know about Mpox virus

The Mpox outbreak reported in Kenya has been traced to a particularly deadly strain previously only identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to recent test results.

The World Health Organization confirmed that this strain, the most lethal encountered so far, has now spread to multiple African countries.

The Kenyan case, which was reported on July 29, involved a truck driver who had traveled to Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, as stated by the Ministry of Health.

On Sunday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom announced that international partners are assisting affected governments, including Kenya, to enhance their response efforts and curb disease transmission.

Last month, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni issued a travel advisory to all counties and border entry points due to the detection of Mpox cases.

The advisory included detailed guidelines and protocols for health officials, border control personnel, and the public.

“We have issued an advisory to all counties and entry points, including airports, seaports, and land borders, outlining how healthcare workers can identify cases based on symptoms. Border points should monitor travelers from or transiting through affected countries,” Muthoni said.

This measure responds to recent Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is considered a hotspot.

According to the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 8,479 Mpox cases and 401 deaths have been recorded since January 2024.

Cases have been reported in South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Mozambique, Ghana, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Liberia, Egypt, Benin, and Morocco.

What is Mpox?

Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can lead to a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. While most individuals recover fully, some can experience severe illness.

The CDC distinguishes between two types of Mpox:

• Clade I: Causes more severe illness and has a higher mortality rate, with some outbreaks killing up to 10% of those affected. It is endemic to Central Africa.
• Clade II: Responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022, it generally causes less severe illness, with over 99.9% survival rate. Clade II is endemic to West Africa.

Who can be infected by Mpox?

Mpox can affect anyone. It spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, including touch, kissing, or sexual activity, and can also be transmitted through handling or consuming infected animals.

Additionally, it can spread via contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or needles. Pregnant women can pass the virus to their unborn babies.

If you have Mpox:

Inform anyone you have recently been in close contact with, stay home until all scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed, cover lesions, wear a well-fitting mask around others, and avoid physical contact.

Prevention measures:

According to the CDC, preventive steps include:

• Avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with individuals who have a rash resembling Mpox and animals carrying the Mpox virus.
• Taking precautions to lower your risk of Mpox during sexual activity or social gatherings.
• Getting vaccinated.