The warning by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano notes the growing threat posed by zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, has urged Kenyans to desist from handling and consuming bushmeat as two Mpox cases have so far been confirmed in Kenya.
The warning by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano notes the growing threat posed by zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.
In a public advisory, Miano revealed that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Wildlife Training and Research Institute (WRTI) are working with the Ministry of Health to monitor the health status of both human and wildlife populations since Mpox can be transmitted from wild animals to humans.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary nominee Rebecca Miano during her vetting on August 3, 2024. /PARLIAMENT KENYA
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites Mpox as a zoonotic viral disease. People can get infected with the virus through direct contact with infected animals, often while hunting, trapping, and processing infected animals or their body parts and fluids.
“Veterinarians in these entities are currently closely monitoring and are on high alert following reports of a recent Mpox outbreak in the region. KWS and WRTI are part of the national Mpox management team currently receiving updates on the breakout,” said Miano.
“Therefore, duly advised by relevant authorities within the State Department of Wildlife under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, I appeal to all Kenyans to desist from handling or consuming bushmeat forthwith. This entreaty comes in the wake of reports of cases of Mpox affection in the country.”
The CS added that whereas reported cases of Mpox have been limited so far, the current situation hints at a possible outbreak should the warnings by experts be ignored.
“Aside from Mpox that has already been declared a public health emergency of international concern, there is an entire plethora of diseases portended by handling or consuming bushmeat. They include Coronavirus, Ebola, Salmonellosis, Rabies, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Rift Valley Fever, Swine Respiratory Disease, Myiasis, Avian Flu, Tetanus, Cysticercosis and more,” she noted.
“The wide range of possible afflictions heralded by handling or consumption of bushmeat alone is ample reason for all responsible Kenyans to completely avoid any incautious dalliance with wildlife now and in the future.”
The CS added that her ministry will continue sensitising communities living close to wildlife conservancies on the need to keep away from bushmeat poaching, hunting and handling meat from wild animals.Â
The Ministry of Health, under the leadership of CS Deborah Barasa, has been on high alert, having screened over 426,000 travellers at the country’s entry points.
However, despite extensive screening and testing efforts, the spectre of Mpox remains a pressing concern. The confirmation of a new variant of the virus in Uganda, which is more easily transmissible among humans, has only heightened the sense of impending crisis.
With Kenya having confirmed a second Mpox case, the public is urged to remain vigilant and to heed the warnings issued by health and wildlife authorities.
As the situation unfolds, the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the spread of Mpox closely. While 40 of the 42 samples tested so far have returned negative, the two positive cases are a stark reminder that the threat is only just beginning.
