The Mpox reported in Kenya was caused by a deadly strain that was previously only seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to test results.
This was confirmed by the World Health Organization, which noted this strain, the deadliest seen so far, has now spread to multiple African countries.
The Kenyan case was reported on July 29, in a truck driver who traveled to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, the Ministry of Health said.
WHO boss Dr Tedros Adhanom on Sunday said partners are helping affected governments, including Kenya, to scale up the response to interrupt disease transmission.
Last month, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni issued a travel advisory to all counties and border entry points, highlighting the detection of Mpox cases.
The advisory provided detailed guidelines and protocols for health officials, border control personnel and the general public.
"We have issued an advisory to all counties and all points of entry at the airports, seaports, and ground crossing points outlining how healthcare workers can detect cases through signs and symptoms. The border points should pay attention to travellers originating from or transiting from affected countries," Muthoni said.
The measure comes in response to recent outbreaks of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is considered a hotspot.
According to Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention data, about 8,479 cases and 401 deaths from Mpox have been recorded since January 2024.
So far, South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Mozambique, Ghana, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Liberia, Egypt, Benin and Morocco have reported cases.
What is Mpox
Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.
According to the CDC, there are two types of Mpox: clade I and clade II.
- Clade I causes more severe illness and death. Some outbreaks have killed up to 10 per cent of the people who get sick, although more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa.
- Clade II is the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from clade II mpox are less severe. More than 99.9 per cent of people survive. Clade II is endemic to West Africa
Who can be infected by Mpox
Anyone can get Mpox.
It spreads from contact with infected persons, through touch, kissing, or sex.
It can also spread through animals- when hunting, skinning, or cooking them.
Additionally, it can spread through materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles.
Pregnant mothers may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.
In case you have Mpox:
Tell anyone you have been close to recently, stay at home until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, cover lesions, wear a well-fitting mask when around other people and avoid physical contact.
Prevention measures
According to the CDC, prevention measures include:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox and animals that carry the Mpox virus.
- Learning steps you can take to lower your risk of Mpox during sex or at a social gathering.
- Getting vaccinated.
