Kenya Reports Rise in Mpox Cases to Nine Amid Increased Disease Prevention Efforts
The Ministry of Health in Kenya has confirmed an additional case of Mpox, bringing the total number of cases in the country to nine as the government ramps up its public health response.
Deborah Barasa, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, announced on Wednesday that the latest case, involving a 37-year-old male who traveled to Rwanda and Uganda, was identified in Nakuru, approximately 160 km northwest of Nairobi. She emphasized that there have been no reported fatalities among the confirmed cases.
Barasa stated that the ministry’s surveillance efforts are ongoing, with 68 contacts tracked—61 of whom have been monitored for the recommended 21 days. Additionally, the ministry has screened nearly 1.13 million travelers at 26 points of entry into the country.
The Cabinet Secretary urged the public to remain vigilant to help protect communities from the spread of the disease. The ministry has intensified its surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement efforts to combat stigma and prevent further infections.
Barasa also revealed that the ministry is working to secure Mpox vaccines for high-risk populations, with shipments expected to arrive in December. Kenya is among five African nations set to receive 50,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine as part of a global initiative led by the World Health Organization to curb the spread of the disease.
In addition to Kenya, other African countries reporting Mpox cases include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Cameroon, Liberia, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Guinea, Gabon, and Rwanda.
