Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has warned Kenyans against consuming bushmeat in the wake of Mpox cases in the country.
Miano made the announcement in a statement on August 24, 2024, sending an appeal to all Kenyans to desist from handling or consuming bushmeat, adding that the appeal came after advice from relevant authorities within the State Department of Wildlife.
“Therefore, duly advised by relevant authorities within the State Department of Wildlife under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, I appeal to all Kenyans to desist from handling or consuming bushmeat forthwith. This entreaty comes in the wake of reports of cases of Mpox affection in the country,” said Miano.
“Though reported cases are isolated thus far—the prevailing situation, nonetheless, foreshadows a potential eruption if cautionary counsel from experts goes unheeded.”
CS Miano has said that the Ministry will continue to sensitize communities living adjacent to wildlife domiciles or alongside wildlife in conservancies and community areas on the need to keep away from bushmeat poaching and hunting or handling meat from wild animals.
She said that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) are part of the national Mpox management team currently receiving updates on the Mpox breakout.
Miano Issues Update on Mpox
The CS highlighted that veterinarians in these entities are currently closely monitoring the health status of both human and wildlife populations and are on high alert following reports of a recent Mpox outbreak in the region.
Also Read: Kenya Confirms Second Case of Mpox
According to Miano, the Tourism Ministry is working closely with the Directorate of Veterinary Service and Ministry of Health under the One Health approach through the Zoonotic Technical Working Group.
The CS warned that host-vector-pathogen dynamics are likely to result into unprecedented disease emergence and re-emergence, thus making the call to stay away from bushmeat urgent.
She further highlighted that Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease meaning that it is communicable between wild animals and human beings, according to medical and animal health experts.
“The spread of zoonotic ailments—be they bacterial, viral or parasitic—occurs through direct contact or through food, water or the environment and are of significant public health concern globally,” said Miano.
Also Read: Kiambu County Clarifies Reported Mpox Case
The CS, at the same time, said that aside from Mpox, there are several diseases humans risk contracting by handling or consuming bushmeat.
They include, Coronavirus, Ebola, Salmonellosis, Rabies, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Rift Valley Fever, Swine Respiratory Disease, Myiasis, Avian Flu, Tetanus, Cysticercosis and more.
“The wide range of possible afflictions heralded by handling or consumption of bushmeat alone is ample reason for all responsible Kenyans to completely avoid any incautious dalliance with wildlife now and in the future,” added Miano.
Warning Against Bushmeat Poaching and Hunting
CS Miano also warned that bushmeat poaching and hunting is a criminal offence punishable in law.
Miano has urged all stakeholders and the public in general to observe and adhere to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health on Mpox and report suspected cases to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.
Monkey Pox, popularly referred to as Mpox, has already been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa in a statement on Friday, August 23, confirmed a second case of Mpox in the country, adding that the case was confirmed following thorough laboratory tests on the patient.
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