The Ministry of Health (MOH) has listed persons who are at high risk of getting infected with Mpox.
In the alert post, MOH revealed that healthcare workers, persons in close contact with confirmed cases and those with multiple romantic partners have higher chances of getting infected.
The Ministry of Health urged members of the public and the essential service providers to take precautions.
“Healthcare workers, persons in close contact with confirmed cases, and those with multiple séxual partners have a higher chance of getting infected,” the warning post reads in parts.
“Take necessary precautions and protect yourself from Mpox.”
Take necessary precaution and protect yourself from #Mpox pic.twitter.c*m/wpndjmHzVV
— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) August 29, 2024
Govt advisory
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Health Cabinet Secretary (CS ) Deborah Mulongo Barasa issued a Mpox advisory for pregnant women days after confirming the second case in the country.
The advisory note disclosed that pregnant women with the Mpox virus can infect the unborn child.
“Advisory for Pregnant Women: Mpox Precautions, Pregnant women with Mpox can infect the unborn child,” the MOH alert reads.
Mpox vaccine
On Wednesday night of August 28, 2024, Director General of Health Patrick Amoth during a live TV interview revealed that the government is committed to contain the spread of the disease adding that Africa will get 2 million Mpox vaccine doses by the end of the year.
“Africa to get 2 million Mpox vaccine doses by the end of the year against the 10 million target,” Amoth revealed.
“Mpox is becoming a g****l crisis for us. As a government, even though we have reported two cases, we remain committed to closing all loopholes through proper strategic mechanisms to prevent any further concerns.”
He further urged the public to stay vigilant until the situation is under control adding that one Mpox patient has fully recovered.
“Mpox poses a significant public health threat, with two cases reported in the country. While one patient has fully recovered, the other remains in isolation. The public is urged to stay vigilant until the situation is under control.”
Plans to curb Mpox
On the night of Friday, August 16, 2024, during a live interview on a local TV station, Principal Secretary of Public Health and Standards Mary Muthoni revealed that the country has intensified its surveillance systems in all 47 countries especially those at the border point to curb the spread of Mpox.
Muthoni further said that the East African countries are at an advanced stage of further establishing data-sharing models following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the neighbouring countries which will be criticál in tackling Mpox before it spreads to other parts of the country.
“Kenya has very strong disease surveillance across the 47 counties at all entry points. We are also sensitizing the masses on what they need to do to prevent Mpox,” Muthoni said.
“Cross-border information sharing exists between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the neighbouring countries. Efforts are underway to establish formal cross-border data and information sharing.”