Recent test results have revealed that the Mpox case reported in Kenya was caused by a particularly lethal strain previously only identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This strain, now considered the deadliest encountered so far, has spread to several other African countries, according to the World Health Organization.
The Kenyan case, detected on July 29, involved a truck driver who had traveled to Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, as reported by the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom, the WHO Director-General, stated on Sunday that efforts are underway to support affected governments, including Kenya, in scaling up their response to halt the spread of the disease.
In response to the outbreak, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni issued a travel advisory last month. The advisory, which applies to all counties and border entry points, includes detailed guidelines for health officials, border control staff, and the public on detecting and managing Mpox cases.
“We have provided a comprehensive advisory to all counties and entry points at airports, seaports, and land borders, detailing how healthcare workers should identify Mpox through its signs and symptoms. Border points must be vigilant with travelers coming from or passing through affected areas,” Muthoni explained.
This advisory follows recent Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which remains a hotspot for the disease. According to data from the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 8,479 Mpox cases and 401 deaths have been reported since January 2024.
Mpox cases have also been reported in South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan, Mozambique, Ghana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Liberia, Egypt, Benin, and Morocco.
What is Mpox?
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can lead to a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. While most individuals recover fully, some cases can become severe.
The CDC identifies two Mpox clades: Clade I and Clade II. Clade I, endemic to Central Africa, tends to cause more severe illness and has a higher mortality rate, with some outbreaks resulting in up to 10% death rates. Clade II, which initiated the global outbreak in 2022, is endemic to West Africa and generally causes less severe illness, with a survival rate exceeding 99.9%.
Who Can Get Mpox?
Mpox can affect anyone and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, including touch, kissing, or sexual activity. It can also be transmitted from animals, particularly during hunting, skinning, or cooking. Additionally, the virus can spread via contaminated materials such as sheets, clothing, or needles. Pregnant women can pass the virus to their unborn child.
If You Have Mpox:
Notify anyone you have recently been in contact with, stay home until all scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed, cover lesions, wear a well-fitting mask around others, and avoid physical contact.
Prevention Measures
To prevent Mpox, the CDC advises:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with individuals displaying a rash similar to Mpox and with animals that may carry the virus.
- Follow guidelines to reduce the risk of Mpox during sexual activity or social gatherings.
- Get vaccinated against Mpox.
