The Kenyan Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Mpox at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point, marking a potential escalation of the disease’s spread in East Africa. The case was identified in an individual traveling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya, raising concerns about cross-border transmission in the region.
Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, stated, “The Ministry of Health assures the public that we remain committed to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.”
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is characterized by skin rashes or mucosal lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infectious skin lesions or respiratory droplets.
The outbreak comes amid ongoing concerns about the disease’s spread in East Africa. “The high population movement between Kenya and other East African countries, especially through the Northern and Central transport corridors, is a significant risk for regional transmission,” Muriuki explained.
Kenya’s health authorities are implementing measures to curb the spread, including enhanced surveillance at border points and collaboration with county governments. The National Public Health Laboratory and other specialized facilities in the country are equipped to conduct confirmatory tests for Mpox.
While Mpox typically resolves without complications within 2-4 weeks, the Ministry has advised the public to adhere to preventive measures. These include frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with suspected or confirmed cases.
The identification of a single case is considered an outbreak, given the disease’s potential for rapid spread. This development follows a multi-country outbreak that peaked globally in August 2022 and June-November 2023.
