Kenya’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed an outbreak of Monkey Pox at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point. The reported case involves a traveller from Uganda to Rwanda passing through Kenya, raising concerns about potential regional transmission of the disease.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki detailed the circumstances of the outbreak. “The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Mpox in Kenya at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point (OSBP), from an individual travelling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya,” the statement read.
Mpox is a viral illness marked by a skin rash, mucosal lesions, fever, headaches, generalized aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus spreads through direct contact with infectious skin lesions or respiratory droplets from infected individuals.
The Health Ministry noted that Kenya’s significant population movement through its Northern and Central transport corridors increases the risk of regional transmission. “Mpox is endemic in the forested areas of East, Central, and West Africa. Since May 2022, a multi-country outbreak has been ongoing globally with peak cases in August 2022 and June-November 2023,” the statement added.
The Ministry emphasized that a single case of Mpox is considered an outbreak. Given the high population movement between Kenya and other East African countries, especially through the Northern and Central transport corridors, the risk for regional transmission is significant, as several countries in the region are currently reporting cases.
Diagnosis of Mpox involves confirmatory laboratory tests from skin lesions, which can be conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory and other specialized laboratories within Kenya. The illness typically resolves within 2-4 weeks without complications, but symptomatic treatment may be necessary for more severe cases.
The Ministry of Health has issued a public health advisory urging the public to take the following measures to protect themselves and prevent further spread of Mpox:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
- If exhibiting symptoms, seek health advice, avoid close contact with others, and visit the nearest health facility for management.
- Avoid close contact with individuals suspected or confirmed to have Mpox.
The Health Ministry assured the public of its commitment to containing the outbreak and preventing further spread of the disease. The Ministry is working with county governments, Port Health Authorities, and other relevant agencies to enhance surveillance, report suspected cases, and disseminate information on preventive measures to the general public.
