The Ministry of Health has confirmed the fifth Mpox case in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa in a statement on Friday announced that the case was identified in Mombasa and assured that surveillance for suspected cases is ongoing.
In a statement, the health cabinet secretary said, “To date, 124 samples have been submitted to our laboratories for Mpox testing. Out of these, 110 samples have tested negative, 9 are under analysis, and 5 are confirmed positive for Mpox”.
She added, “Out of the five (5) confirmed cases 2 have fully recovered while three (3) remain in isolation and are responding positively to treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of our response and management of the disease.”
The 5th Mpox Case
The latest confirmed case of Mpox in the country was a 29- year-old female from Mombasa County. The patient, a spouse to the 4th confirmed case currently admitted in Nakuru, was seen at the Coast General Hospital on 28th August 2024.
She is currently in isolation at the Utange Hospital’s Mpox Isolation Centre.
Also Read: Africa to Receive First Batch of Mpox Vaccines After Criticism Over Delays
The female patient has no recent travel history to a country reporting Mpox cases but her spouse had recently traveled to Rwanda, returning on 24th August 2024.
The Ministry of Health is conducting active surveillance for suspected cases to control the spread of the disease. Currently, 33 contacts remain under close observation.
What Is Mpox?
Mpox is a disease that has affected countries in the world before, but the latest outbreak started in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the virus strain is more serious than previous Mpox viruses.
It is spread by direct contact with an infected person, body fluids, utensils, and infected wild animals.
Authorities in DRC have been strongly urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to send vaccines to the country after WHO declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency.
The DRC is experiencing conflict in some areas caused by armed rebel groups. The outbreak only exacerbates the struggles of the citizenry.
Also Read: Kenyans Warned Against Consuming Select Meat Amid Mpox Cases
Signs and Symptoms of Mpox
- High fever
- Body rash
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Headache
- Back pain
- Fatigue
Mpox Control Measures in Kenya
MOH has reassured Kenyans that healthcare facilities in the country are fully prepared to diagnose and treat Mpox even as the WHO cautions countries to set up mitigation measures.
“There is no need to panic if you believe you may have symptoms. Mpox is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, contact with contaminated body fluids, clothing, utensils, or even contact with infected wild animals,” the statement read in part.
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