It's not over yet, WHO tells Kenya on Mpox threat

The risk of Mpox in Kenya remains high, the World Health Organization has maintained.

The strain detected in Kenya is linked to the highly infectious strain called Clade 1b, which is mostly spread sexually.

It is dominant in the epicentre of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The WHO says because the strain has now spread to many countries, its experts will on Wednesday decide whether to declare it a global emergency.

“Four new countries in Eastern Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) reported their first Mpox cases. All cases are linked to the expanding outbreak in East and Central Africa and all cases sequenced to date from these countries are Clade I,” WHO says in the latest Situation Report on the outbreak.

Kenya has reported just one case.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the case on July 29 after a 42-year-old male, long-distance truck driver, presented at the Taita Taveta border post with the symptoms.

He had travelled from Kampala to Mombasa on July 12. At the time of identification, he was travelling to Rwanda through Tanzania via the Taveta One Stop Border Point.

“This is the first Mpox case ever identified in Kenya. genomic sequencing analysis has identified it as Clade Ib. No deaths had been reported as of August 8, 2024,” WHO said.

The patient has since healed.

On Monday, Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth, convened a crisis meeting with different officials in the Health ministry to craft a plan to prevent a wider outbreak.

A statement from the ministry said Amoth outlined key measures.

They include rapid laboratory testing, community engagement, infection prevention control and comprehensive case management.

He also underscored the importance of monitoring points of entry to control any potential spread of the disease.

He urged all partners to collaborate in strengthening Kenya's preparedness.

Amoth stressed that proactive measures are essential for safeguarding public health and ensuring economic stability.

"Taking action now is essential to protect our population and prevent a potential outbreak," he said.

Present at the meeting included his deputy, Sultan Matendechero, who called for proper coordination and communication. Also present was Dr Grace Ikahu, director of public health, among others.

The WHO indicated that within Africa, the DR Congo has reported most (96 per cent) of the confirmed Mpox cases so far.

“As reporting from countries to WHO has been declining, the current reported global data most likely underestimates the actual number of Mpox cases,” WHO said.

It urged member states and partners to strengthen surveillance and response and to ensure early outbreak detection and control, regardless of origin.

“WHO is calling on national and local health authorities, health workers, civil society and partners to continue to collaborate with national and global partners," WHO said.

"This is to develop strategies to increase access to diagnostics, improve clinical care and access to vaccines, ensure stigma-free risk communication and community engagement. It will also help to bolster global preparedness and response efforts to effectively contain Mpox both locally and globally.” 

Last month, Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni issued a travel advisory to all counties and border entry points, after the detection of the Mpox case.

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. We have outlined how healthcare workers can detect cases through signs and symptoms," the PS said.

"The border points should pay attention to travellers originating from or transiting from affected countries," Muthoni added.