Kenya Confirms Fifth Mpox Case.
Kenya has confirmed its fifth case of Mpox, with the patient being a 28-year-old female from Mombasa, specifically a resident of the VOK area. This case was confirmed on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, and the patient is currently in isolation at Utange Hospital’s Mpox isolation center. Notably, she is the spouse of the fourth Mpox case in Kenya, whose travel history included a return from Rwanda on August 24, 2024.
The Ministry of Health has been actively involved in managing the situation:
- Surveillance and Screening: As of the latest update, 687,233 travelers have been screened at 24 ports of entry across the country, indicating a robust effort to monitor and control the spread of the virus.
- Testing: 124 samples have been submitted for testing, with 110 testing negative, and nine still under analysis, showing an active approach to identifying cases.
- Contact Tracing: There are currently 33 contacts under observation, with two out of the five confirmed cases having recovered, suggesting some success in managing the disease progression.
- Public Health Measures: The government continues to enhance surveillance and response measures, including contact tracing, to prevent further spread. This includes advising the public on preventive measures like avoiding contact with infected individuals and thorough cooking of meat.
The confirmation of these cases has led to a global response, with organizations like UNICEF and WHO stepping up efforts to procure Mpox vaccines, indicating a broader international concern and cooperation to manage the outbreak not just in Kenya but globally, especially in regions like Africa where the disease has been more prevalent.
