By Tracy kavai, nyaberakavai@gmail.com
On Friday, August 23, the Ministry of Health confirmed a second case of monkeypox infection following a laboratory test on a driver at the Malaba One Stop Border Post in Busia County.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Barasa, the driver had symptoms associated with the sickness and had previously travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the disease first emerged.
Barasa stated that the patient had already been separated and was being actively managed at one of the county’s health institutions.
The CS also indicated that the Ministry has increased its surveillance for suspected cases across all counties to guarantee that the disease’s spread was contained. She further stated that a total of 42 samples had already been submitted to government laboratories for testing, of which 40 of them tested positive for the disease.
“In addition, we have screened a total of 426,438 travellers at our various ports of entry across the country,” CS Barasa noted.
“Our health facilities are adequately staffed and well-equipped to diagnose and manage this disease and therefore its identification should not be a cause for alarm.”
The Ministry of Health has therefore directed Kenyans to remain vigilant and observe public health measures to ensure their safety and well-being.
Among the recommendations made by the ministry included regularly washing hands with soap and running water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Kenyans were also urged to practice good hygiene and avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting Mpox-like symptoms.