As concerns over the spread of Mpox intensify, the Ministry of Health has issued a set of comprehensive guidelines aimed at protecting the public from the viral epidemic.
These measures come in response to a rising number of suspected cases and warnings from health authorities across the world.
Protective measures against Mpox
The Ministry of Health has outlined several key precautions to minimize the risk of infection:
1. Avoid close contact: Kenyans are urged to steer clear of individuals infected with Mpox, as the virus spreads through close personal interaction.
2. Handle personal items with care: The public is advised not to touch or share the personal belongings of those who are infected.
3. Limit exposure to wild animals: To reduce the risk of transmission, citizens should avoid any contact with wild animals.
4. Watch your diet: Consumption of wild animals, including squirrels, rats, mice, and monkeys, is strongly discouraged.
5. Prioritize hygiene: Frequent handwashing with soap and running water is emphasized as a key preventative measure.
Identifying Mpox symptoms
The Ministry has also provided a list of symptoms associated with Mpox to help individuals recognize potential cases early:
1. Persistent back pain
2. Sore throat
3. Headaches
4. Unusual fatigue or low energy
5. Swollen lymph nodes
Anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to seek medical attention without delay. The Ministry has set up a hotline for reporting suspected cases: 719. Additional contact numbers include 0729 471414 and 0732 353535.
Current situation in Kenya
The Kenyan government has significantly ramped up its screening efforts in light of the Mpox epidemic.
In an update on Saturday, August 17, 2024, the Health Ministry said it had screened over 302,000 individuals across the country.
Five new suspected cases have been reported, bringing the total number of potential cases to 29. Of these, 23 have tested negative, while the remaining six are pending confirmation.
In one notable case, a patient at Vineyard Hospital in Kiambu County has been placed in isolation as health officials continue contact tracing efforts.
The Health Ministry also cautioned the public against sharing images of suspected Mpox cases, stressing the importance of patient privacy and the prevention of misinformation.
“Further, the Ministry urges members of the public to refrain from sharing photos of suspected cases to avoid the spread of misinformation and to respect patient privacy,” the statement by the Health Ministry said.
Kenya declared a Mpox epidemic on July 31, 2024, following the confirmation of the first case in Taveta Sub-County, Taita Taveta County.
The patient was successfully treated and discharged from hospital with all the contacts traced and monitored for 21 days.
None of the contacts has developed symptoms of Mpox.
Worldwide, regional Impact
On a broader scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 13, 2024, declared the Mpox epidemic in Africa a worldwide health emergency, warning of its potential to spread across international borders.
The announcement by WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus came after a meeting of the United Nations health agency’s emergency committee.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared Mpox a public health emergency on the continent on August 13, 2024.
WHO said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, which already exceeds last year’s figures.
All of those cases were linked to the epidemic in Congo. Tedros said there was concern for the further spread of the disease within Africa and beyond.
Even though Mpox has primarily affected Congo, the virus has now been detected in several East African countries, including Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.
About Mpox
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first identified by scientists in 1958 when there was the emergence of a pox-like disease in monkeys.
Until recently, most human cases were seen in individuals in central and West Africa who had close contact with infected animals.
Mpox was confirmed to spread via intercourse for the first time in 2022. It triggered cases in more than 70 countries across the world that had not previously reported the virus.
Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills and body aches. Individuals with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.