Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Kenya has confirmed its second case of Mpox, this time involving a truck driver who was entering the country from Uganda at the Malaba border. Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni shared the news with the Nation.
The infected driver disclosed that he had recently traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region currently recognized as the epicenter of the disease.
“The patient has been isolated and is under active management in one of our health facilities in Busia County,” a statement from the Ministry of Health said.
The truck driver, who has been confirmed as Kenya’s second Mpox case, presented himself at the Port Health screening desk at the Malaba One Stop Border Post, showing symptoms of the disease.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa revealed that, to date, 42 samples have been tested for Mpox, with 40 returning negative results.
This latest Mpox case comes just three weeks after Kenya reported its first case of the viral disease at the Taita Taveta border with Tanzania.
The initial case also involved a long-distance truck driver, who was traveling from Uganda to Rwanda through Kenya, according to the Health Ministry.
Stalemate at the Ministry
The announcement of Kenya’s latest Mpox case has been postponed due to a reported stalemate between Public Health and Professional Standards, involving PS Mary Muthoni and Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth. The disagreement centers on who should be responsible for releasing the information to the public.
A senior official at the ministry, who wished to remain anonymous due to restrictions on media communication, expressed confusion over the current reporting structure.
“The positive results from the truck driver came in last night but because of the stalemate between PS Muthoni and Dr Amoth, we were forced to wait until they agree on who we should report to.
The senior official also revealed that CS Barasa is resolving the impasse.
“We expect the CS to give us a clear direction.”
The Department of Public Health and Professional Standards has clarified that Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by the monkeypox virus.
“Patients present with rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, generalised aches and swollen lymph nodes.”
Person-to-person transmission of Mpox can occur through direct contact with infected skin or other lesions, such as on the mouth or the genitals,” the Ministry said, adding that the disease can also be spread through respiratory droplets.
“Mpox is endemic in the forested areas of East, Central and West Africa. Since May 2022, a multi-country outbreak has been ongoing globally, with peak cases in August 2022 and June-November 2023. A single case of Mpox is considered an outbreak,” said PS Muthoni a few weeks ago.
The PS highlighted that the significant movement of people between Kenya and neighboring East African countries, particularly along the northern and central transport corridors, increases the risk of regional Mpox transmission. Several countries in the region are currently reporting cases of the disease.
She also noted that Mpox diagnosis is confirmed through laboratory tests on skin lesions.
The PS highlighted that the significant movement of people between Kenya and neighboring East African countries, particularly along the northern and central transport corridors, increases the risk of regional Mpox transmission. Several countries in the region are currently reporting cases of the disease.
She also noted that Mpox diagnosis is confirmed through laboratory tests on skin lesions.
“These tests can be done at the National Public Health Laboratory and other specialised laboratories in the country,” she said.
