By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024. Kenya has reported its first Mpox-related death, according to the Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni. The number of confirmed cases in the country has now reached 13, with cases reported across several counties.
Muthoni disclosed that the confirmed cases are distributed as follows: Nakuru (2), Kajiado (2), Bungoma (2), Taita Taveta (1), Busia (1), Nairobi (1), Mombasa (1), Makueni (1), Kericho (1) and Kilifi (1). As of October 14, 2024, the National Public Health Laboratory had received 238 samples, with 13 testing positive and 225 testing negative.
"No new cases of Mpox have been confirmed in the last 24 hours," the Ministry of Health's Mpox Situation Update Report number 57 for October 14, 2024, stated. The report also highlighted that 68 contacts have been listed, with 61 followed for 21 days, three testing positive for Mpox and four still being monitored.
In the last 24 hours, 21,972 travelers have been screened at points of entry (POE), while a cumulative 1,332,420 travelers have been screened at 26 POEs. Additionally, 366,838 people have been sensitized about Mpox at the POE so far.
"Risk communication and community engagement messages have been approved for dissemination to combat stigma and promote infection prevention," Muthoni said, adding that the Kenya Red Cross has committed to support the bulk SMS for Mpox messaging.
As for the management of confirmed cases, Muthoni stated, "Symptomatic management of confirmed cases is ongoing. Training materials have been developed to assist those affected as well as mental health and psychosocial support for those affected."
Mpox, a disease caused by the Mpox virus, has two main strains or clades. Until 2022, neither was commonly reported outside of a handful of African countries. However, the Clade IIb virus, which causes a "milder" version of Mpox, spread from Nigeria to the global North, sparking international concern and a large-scale effort to produce vaccines and immunize newly at-risk populations.
"Although interventions eventually brought the international Clade IIb outbreak under control, Mpox continued to circulate, including Clade I, the more virulent strain endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo," the report noted.
The Kenyan government's proactive measures, including enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns, aim to contain the Mpox outbreak and prevent its further spread within the country.
Source: The Nation News
Related:
Kenya Confirms First Mpox Case
Kenya Amplifies Efforts to Combat Mpox with Urgent Health Response
Published: OCTOBER 21, 2024
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