A doctor attends Mpox patient. Photo | Courtesy.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 137 Mpox virus cases across 17 counties, with Busia, Mombasa, and Nakuru leading in reported infections.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Ministry said the virus, previously concentrated along the Northern transport corridor, has now spread to new counties, raising concerns about its nationwide transmission.
“The Ministry would like to inform the public of more additional cases especially in new counties outside the Northern transport corridor,” read part of the statement signed by Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki.
The county-by-county breakdown shows Busia has reported the highest number with 48 cases, followed by Mombasa (37), and Nakuru (16).
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Other counties with confirmed cases include Makueni (10), Nairobi (5), Kajiado (3), Bungoma (3), and several others with between one and two cases each.
So far, health officials have identified 400 contacts linked to confirmed cases. Out of these, 315 have been monitored for the mandatory 21-day period, with 15 of them later testing positive for the disease.
To stem the spread, the Ministry said it had tested 597 suspected samples, confirming 137 as positive cases.
Surveillance efforts have also extended to border points, where over 4.8 million travelers have been screened at the Points of Entry, the statement noted.
The Ministry highlighted several measures being implemented to contain the outbreak.
“We have strengthened surveillance through active case search, contact listing, tracing, investigation, and symptomatic management of confirmed cases,” said Muriuki.
Public awareness efforts have also been scaled up. The government has partnered with mobile service provider Safaricom to send out 15 million SMS alerts on Mpox prevention.
Citizens are encouraged to dial *719# or call 719 for free to access verified information.
“Further information on Mpox can also be obtained from qualified health care workers or the Ministry’s website,” Muriuki added.
Health authorities are urging anyone experiencing symptoms or who has been in contact with a suspected case to seek immediate medical attention.
The Ministry’s hotline,0729 471 414 and 0732 353 535, remain open for public inquiries.
