The Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed a second case of Mpox in Kenya, raising fresh concerns about the disease’s spread within the country.
The latest patient, a male truck driver, was identified at the Malaba One Stop Border Post in Busia County.
The man, currently in isolation and receiving care at a Busia health facility, had travelled to the DRC, a hotspot for a severe Mpox outbreak.
This confirmation follows the initial case reported on July 31.
“Since the declaration of the first case of Mpox, 28 contacts of the said case have completed a 21-day follow-up period without developing symptoms. They have been discharged from active follow-up,” Health CS Deborah Mulongo said.
Dr Mulongo assured the public that Kenya’s health infrastructure is prepared to handle the situation.
“Our health facilities are adequately staffed and well-equipped to diagnose and manage this disease, and therefore its identification should not be a cause for alarm,” she said.
The CS added that surveillance efforts were being intensified, particularly in Busia and other high-cross-border traffic areas.
The ministry reported that 42 Mpox samples have been tested so far, with 40 returning negative. In addition, 426,438 arrivals have been screened at various entry points since the outbreak began.
“Active surveillance for suspected cases has been enhanced in the region and across all counties to ensure disease spread is controlled,” Dr Mulongo stated.
The Ministry of Health has advised regular handwashing, the use of alcohol-based sanitisers, maintaining good hygiene, and avoiding close contact with individuals exhibiting Mpox symptoms.
Meanwhile, Kenya is preparing to receive 2 million doses of Mpox vaccine from Denmark by December.
“But the vaccine will not be for everybody because of the scarcity in terms of availability. We will prioritise the population to be put at the forefront,” Health Director General Patrick Amoth said.
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The WHO has urged countries with Mpox outbreaks to start vaccination plans.
The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Mpox 2024 recommends that the DRC, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda prepare for vaccination and national immunization planning.
The DRC, which has reported 16,700 confirmed or suspected Mpox cases and over 570 deaths, is scheduled to receive vaccines next week.
The country requires 3.5 million doses.
Kenya’s first Mpox case was a 42-year-old truck driver from Kinoo, Kiambu County, who travelled from Kampala to Mombasa on July 12 and was identified at the Taveta border crossing.
Mpox is often transmitted through sexual contact and is amplified within networks involving commercial sex and sex workers.
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