Kenya awaits Kemri tests to confirm strain of first Mpox case

Kenya on Wednesday became the third East African country to report Mpox outbreak.

The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to Burundi.

Kenya's first case was reported in a person travelling through the country.

“The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Mpox in Kenya at the Taita-Taveta one-stop border point, from an individual traveling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya,” Public Health PS Mary Muthoni said in a statement.

The one-stop border is on the Kenya-Tanzania boundary, but the individual had not crossed over to Tanzania, which has not reported any case.

Muthoni said one case is considered an outbreak because it is caused by a key virus with a potential of spread.

The MoH did not give more details about the case.

Specialists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute have taken samples from the Kenyan case to determine the strain.

Health officials remained hopeful that this is not the new strain confirmed in DR Congo, said to be the most dangerous variant ever seen.

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus.

Normally, someone infected with mpox first presents with flu-like illness, including fever and headache, according to WHO.

The infection can also cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever.

The first lesions develop on the tongue and in the mouth before spreading to the skin and becoming raised.

The pus-filled lesions remain for five to seven days before beginning to crust.

Most people recover fully, but in some cases, it can lead to severe illness or death.

An infected person is contagious from the start of the flu-like symptoms until all scabs have fallen off.

The disease is spread just like flu, and also through intimate physical contact, including kissing, cuddling, or sex.

Muthoni advised Kenyans to wash their hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser and avoid close contact with persons with suspected or confirmed disease.

“If you have symptoms, seek health advice and avoid close contact with other persons and visit the nearest health facility for management,” she said.

The ministry is working with counties, Port Health Authorities and other government agencies to stop the current outbreak.

Efforts include enhanced surveillance, reporting suspected cases and disseminating information on preventive measures to the public.

“Further updates will be provided as the information becomes available,” the PS said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently said there have been nearly 8,000 cases this year in DR Congo, including 384 deaths.

Several cases were reported in South Kivu province, near the border with Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, causing particular concern.

Burundi has confirmed three cases of Mpox, verified by national laboratories and the WHO.

Most mpox cases from the DR Congo outbreak are sexually transmitted.

That outbreak, which largely hit Europe and the Americas in 2022 was caused by a strain called Clade IIb.

The current outbreak in Congo is caused by Clade I, which can cause more severe illness, and lead to death in up to 10 per cent of those infected.

The Kenyan case was curiously reported hours after the East African Community secretariat warned members to be vigilant and stop hiding information.

Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Malueth, said a meeting of health experts will be convened to deliberate on the outbreak in the region.

The DSG added that factual risk communication, community engagement and enhanced surveillance were crucial steps to managing the disease.

“EAC partner states must provide necessary information about the disease and take preventive measures,” Malueth said.