NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya is set to bolster its diagnostic testing capabilities with the arrival of mpox sample collection kits, courtesy of key partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and USAID.
This initiative comes at a crucial time as the country navigates an ongoing mpox outbreak, underscoring the importance of timely detection and swift response to contain the virus.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa is expected to oversee the official handover ceremony at Afya House.
With 12 reported mpox cases across the country, including five currently under management, the kits will help facilitate more accurate testing.
The outbreak has touched counties such as Nakuru, Kajiado, and Nairobi, with seven patients already making full recoveries.
While Kenya grapples with the mpox outbreak, the nation remains on high alert for the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) following an alert from WHO.
Although no cases have been reported within Kenya, the Ministry of Health is urging vigilance due to a recent outbreak in Rwanda, Kenya’s close neighbor.
The strong air and road connections between the two countries, combined with frequent travel and trade routes, increase the potential risk of Marburg entering Kenya.
Dr. Barasa has urged Kenyans to report any unusual symptoms, such as fever or unexplained bleeding, particularly among individuals with recent travel history to affected regions.
The Ministry’s proactive stance highlights its commitment to safeguarding public health in the face of both emerging and existing threats.
Beyond addressing immediate health concerns like mpox and Marburg, the Ministry of Health is also intensifying its efforts to tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
During the same event, the Ministry will receive a shipment of drugs aimed at mass drug administration (MDA) efforts. This follows the recent arrival of 15 million tablets designed to help combat NTDs such as schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths.
Kenya’s commitment to eradicating NTDs by 2030 is clear. Earlier this year, the Ministry laid out a comprehensive five-year National Master Plan for the Elimination of NTDs (2023-2027).
This plan focuses on transitioning from disease-specific interventions to a more integrated approach, optimizing resources, and eliminating redundancy in efforts to tackle six debilitating diseases, including river blindness and trachoma.
With support from global health organizations like WHO, Kenya continues to push forward in its mission to improve public health, ensuring that even neglected diseases receive the attention and resources needed to eliminate them.
