The Ministry of Health has confirmed three new cases of the Mpox virus, marking the first cases reported in nearly a month.
The new cases have been identified in Mombasa, Nakuru, and Nairobi counties, bringing Kenya’s total confirmed cases to 17.
In a statement on Friday, November 8, the Ministry praised the public for their continued adherence to health guidelines, which officials say has been instrumental in slowing the virus’s spread.
“The collective efforts of Kenyans have been vital in protecting communities and slowing down the spread of Mpox,” the Ministry noted, adding that it remains “fully committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Kenyans.”
With the latest cases reported, the distribution of Mpox cases across counties includes Nakuru with three cases, Kajiado (2), Bungoma (2), Taita Taveta (1), Busia (1), Nairobi (2), Mombasa (2), Makueni (1), Kericho (1), Uasin Gishu (1), and Kilifi (1). Currently, three patients remain under medical management, while 13 have fully recovered. One death related to the virus has been reported since the outbreak began.
The Ministry has identified 83 contacts related to the Mpox cases, with 78 completing the required 21-day follow-up period. Three of these contacts tested positive for the virus, and two remain under active follow-up. In addition, public health authorities have tested 271 samples, with 17 yielding positive results.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the Ministry has emphasized the importance of preventive measures and is working to secure Mpox vaccines for high-risk groups.
“We urge Kenyans to continue following preventive measures such as avoiding close contact with infected individuals and maintaining good hygiene,” the Ministry stated.
In a bid to control further transmission, the Ministry has advised Kenyans to avoid non-essential travel to regions with active Mpox cases. “We are closely monitoring the evolution of the outbreak within the region,” the Ministry said, “and in collaboration with our partners, deploying targeted interventions to contain the spread.”
The Ministry’s update comes as health officials conduct rigorous screenings, with over 15,000 travelers screened at Points of Entry (POEs) in the past 24 hours alone, bringing the total to over 1.7 million screened across 26 entry points.
With the virus continuing to pose a threat, the Ministry urged Kenyans to “remain vigilant and report any symptoms or suspected cases to the nearest health facility for prompt care,” emphasizing that early detection is key in controlling the outbreak.
