Kenya has identified its fifth mpox case, a 29-year-old woman from Mombasa who has no travel history to an affected country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa revealed that the woman’s spouse was the fourth confirmed case of mpox.
The woman is currently isolated at the Utange Hospital’s mpox isolation center. “To date, we have submitted 124 samples for mpox testing. Of these, 110 have tested negative, 9 are still under analysis, and 5 have been confirmed positive for mpox,” Barasa said.
Barasa reassured the public that healthcare facilities across the country are equipped to diagnose and treat mpox.
“There is no need to panic if you have symptoms. Mpox is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated body fluids, clothing, utensils, or infected wild animals,” she explained.
Last week, the fourth case was confirmed in a truck driver traveling from Mombasa to Rwanda. Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni noted that the patient fell ill on August 28 while passing through the Kikopey area in Gilgil and was admitted to Nakuru PGH Isolation Centre. The Gilgil Sub-County Rapid Response Team (RRT) was promptly dispatched to assess the case.
“The most recent case involves a truck driver who was en route from Mombasa to Rwanda. He felt unwell on August 28 while passing through Gilgil and had to halt his journey,” Muthoni said.
This latest confirmation follows the recent report of a third case involving a 30-year-old female with a travel history to Uganda. Public Health Director General Patrick Amoth stated that the patient, who was isolated immediately, is stable and recovering.
Amoth emphasized that the Ministry of Health is actively surveilling for suspected cases across all counties to curb further spread of the disease. “A second patient previously diagnosed with mpox has fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Seventeen contacts remain under close observation. This positive outcome reflects our effective response and management of the disease,” he said.