Kenya has confirmed its fifth case of Mpox, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health on Friday. The most recent patient, a 28-year-old woman from the VOK area in Mombasa, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday. She is currently being isolated and treated at the Mpox isolation center in Utange Hospital.
Interestingly, this woman is the spouse of Kenya’s fourth confirmed Mpox patient, who is receiving treatment in Nakuru. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa noted that while the woman has no recent travel history to any country reporting Mpox cases, her husband had returned from Rwanda on August 24.
To date, 124 samples have been tested for Mpox in Kenya. Of these, 110 results were negative, and nine are still under analysis. The Ministry of Health also reported that over 687,000 travelers have been screened at 24 ports of entry as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
Currently, 33 individuals identified as close contacts of confirmed Mpox cases are under observation. Encouragingly, two of the five confirmed patients have already recovered. The Ministry of Health has assured the public that healthcare facilities are well-prepared to diagnose and treat Mpox, stressing that there is no need for alarm.
Mpox can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Some people experience less severe symptoms, while others may develop a more serious illness requiring medical care. Those at higher risk of severe symptoms include pregnant individuals, children, and those who are immunocompromised, such as people with untreated or advanced HIV.
