2 new cases of mpox confirmed in Kenya

In a press release, Mary Muriuki, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Health, stated that two new cases of mpox had been confirmed in Kericho and Taita Taveta counties, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 33. The outbreak has now spread to 12 counties. A subsequent epidemiological investigation identified 225 contacts, 216 of whom were monitored for 21 days. Of these contacts, nine tested positive for mpox. In response to these developments, the government has taken several measures to enhance its surveillance efforts. This has included actively seeking cases, listing contacts, tracing contacts and conducting investigations. The confirmation of cases has been supported by a programme of symptomatic confirmation. Furthermore, the government has initiated outreach programmes with the aim of educating the public about the preventative measures and measures for controlling the virus. In addition to these developments, it should be noted that in 2022, mpox outbreaks were reported in more than 70 countries around the world. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been the most affected country, with more than 49,000 suspected cases and 1,100 confirmed deaths on the continent since January 2024, according to data reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).