NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an additional case of Mpox (formerly monkeypox), bringing the country’s total to 18.
The latest case was reported in Nakuru County, further underscoring the need for vigilance and preventive measures.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa provided a detailed breakdown of the cases, revealing their distribution across 11 counties.
Nakuru leads with four cases, followed by Nairobi, Mombasa, Kajiado, and Bungoma with two cases each. Counties such as Taita Taveta, Busia, Makueni, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, and Kilifi each reported a single case.
Encouragingly, out of the 18 confirmed cases, 14 individuals have fully recovered. The remaining four are under medical management.
The Ministry also highlighted progress in contact tracing efforts, with 115 contacts identified. Among them, 80 have completed the 21-day observation period, three tested positive for Mpox, and 32 remain under monitoring.
The government’s focus on rigorous testing has led to 296 samples analyzed at the National Public Health Laboratory. Of these, 18 returned positive, 272 negative, while six are pending results.
In parallel, authorities have ramped up border screening, checking nearly 1.9 million travelers at Points of Entry. Notably, over 14,000 were screened in just the past 24 hours.
CS Barasa reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening surveillance and containment measures to mitigate the outbreak’s spread.
To curb the spread, the Ministry is urging citizens to adopt essential preventive practices. These include avoiding close contact with infected individuals or their belongings, practicing proper hand hygiene, and reducing the number of sexual partners.
Mpox symptoms include painful rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and fever, with most cases resolving fully. Severe cases, while rare, highlight the need for continued caution.
“The Ministry of Health remains steadfast in safeguarding public health,” CS Barasa affirmed, praising Kenyans for adhering to health guidelines. “Your efforts are instrumental in slowing the virus and protecting our communities.
While Mpox continues to pose challenges, Kenya’s proactive approach—coupled with public cooperation—offers hope for containing the outbreak.
