The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Ministry of Health has confirmed three additional cases of Mpox, raising the total to 41 since the outbreak began in July 2024.
Mary Muthoni, the PS for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, stated that 271 individuals who came into contact with the 41 confirmed cases have been identified.
She further explained that 246 of these contacts have been monitored for the recommended 21-day period. Out of them, nine tested positive for Mpox, while 16 are still under observation.
“Moreover, over 3.3 million travelers have been screened at entry points, and 419 samples from suspected cases have been tested at the National Public Health Laboratory and other partner labs. Of these, 41 tested positive, 376 were negative, and two are still being analyzed,” added Muthoni.
In her statement to the press, Muthoni mentioned that the ministry, along with county governments and partners, has intensified surveillance efforts in high-risk areas and deployed rapid response teams (RRTs) to assist with active case detection, contact listing, tracing, investigation, and management of symptomatic cases.
“To prevent the spread of Mpox in schools, the ministry’s school health program has been collaborating with the Ministry of Education to implement infection control measures and other public health precautions to prevent outbreaks in educational institutions,” she said.
The PS also highlighted emerging public health threats, noting that Tanzania had declared a Marburg Virus outbreak in January 2025, and Uganda had confirmed a Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak with two cases and one death.
She warned that these outbreaks pose a risk of cross-border transmission into Kenya.
“Due to our proximity and frequent cross-border movement, Kenya remains at high risk of importing these diseases, requiring swift and coordinated efforts to prevent their spread,” Muthoni emphasized.
She urged the public to stay vigilant and follow the recommended health guidelines, advising travelers arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Tanzania or Uganda to be screened by Port Health staff at Gate 16 and to fill out the Traveler Health Surveillance Form when necessary.
