No Monkeypox cases reported in Kenya, PS Mochache says

The government has stepped up monkeypox surveillance amid the growing outbreak in Europe.

PS health Susan Mochache said the country had not recorded any cases so far.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.

Mochache said though they have taken measures to control the infiltration of the disease, it is not the moment to drop guard.

"Neither Kenya nor our sister countries in the region have registered any case. Even then, we have done all that is required already to stem possible spread in the country," said Mochache.

The PS is in Kisii for the Tobacco Farm function courtesy of the World Health Organisation.

The function drew participants from Kisii, Nyamira and Migori.

Mochache said tobacco remains the primary cause of many diseases worldwide, including cancer, heart disease, stroke and lung diseases.

Smoking also increases the risk of tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems with the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.

PS Mochache said cigars cause birth defects among women.

WHO estimates 8 million fatalities related to smoking annually.

Every year, more than 6,000 Kenyans die of tobacco-related diseases (79 men and 37 women die per week), while more than 220,000 children and more than 2,737,000 adults continue to use tobacco each day.

Smoking also accounts for declining infertility, erectile dysfunction, low libido, miscarriage, low birth weight babies, among others.

Mochache said stopping tobacco farming is part of the efforts aimed at dealing with the long term effects caused by tobacco products.

On the Covid-19 pandemic, the PS asked Kenyans to exercise caution, saying the rise in infections is a call to remain vigilant.

She urged Kenyans to wear masks as part of the efforts to curb its spread.

Mochache said the statistics of those who have turned up for vaccination are still low compared to other countries.