Kenya - Mpox outbreak 2024-2025

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/real...ase-in-makueni


Kenya confirms one Mpox case in Makueni
According to MoH, this brings the total number of cases to 38
by DAMARIS KIILU
08 February 2025 - 20:10

In Summary

The ministry stated that a total of 255 contacts of the 38 cases have been identified, 246 of whom have been monitored for the recommended period of 21 days, while the others are still being monitored.
"Additionally, over 3.2 million travellers have been screened at our airports and other points of entry, and suspected cases identified for further investigation," the ministry stated.

Kenya has confirmed one new Mpox case in Makueni county bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 38.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said these cases have been reported across 12 counties as follows: Nakuru (10), Mombasa (8), Busia (4), Nairobi (2), Kajiado (2), Bungoma (2), Taita Taveta (2), Kericho (2), Makueni (2), Kilifi (2), Kiambu (1) and Uasin Gishu (1).

The ministry stated that a total of 255 contacts of the 38 cases have been identified, 246 of whom have been monitored for the recommended period of 21 days, while the others are still being monitored. Nine contacts have tested positive for Mpox so far...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025...new-mpox-cases

Ministry of Health confirms 3 new Mpox cases
The ministry has stepped up surveillance activities in all high-risk counties.
by Allan Kisia
14 February 2025 - 15:38

In Summary

Muthoni said 246 of the contacts identified have been monitored for the recommended period of 21 days.
The PS urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to recommended public health guidelines.


The Ministry of Health has confirmed three new Mpox cases, bringing the total number to 41 since the outbreak began in July 2024.

State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni noted that a total of 271 contacts of the 41 cases have been identified.

She said 246 of the contacts identified have been monitored for the recommended period of 21 days, nine tested positive for Mpox while the 16 are still being monitored....

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 8: 17 - 23 February 2025
Data as reported by: 17:00; 23 February 2025
...
Kenya

Mpox


48 cases
1 Deaths
2.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Kenya continues to face an outbreak of mpox since it
was first officially declared by the Ministry of Health on
31 July 2024. In epidemiological week 8, 2025 (week
starting 17 February 2025), seven new confirmed cases
were reported from Makueni (n=4), Busia (n=2), and
Bungoma (n=1) counties. Since the beginning of 2025,
17 new cases have been reported from Busia (n=8),
Makueni (n=5), Kericho (n=1), Taita Taveta (n=1), Kelifi
(n=1), and Bungoma (n=1) counties as of 21 February
2025.

From 31 July 2024 to 21 February 2025, a cumulative
total of 48 confirmed cases, including one death (CFR
2.1%), have been recorded across 12 counties. The
majority of cases have been reported from Nakuru
(n=10), Busia (n=9), Mombasa (n=8), and Makueni (n=6)
counties, accounting for 68.8% of all cases reported
across the country. The only death was reported from
Bungoma County in September 2024. Mai Mahiu
Town in Nakuru County and Jomvu and Changamwe
Subcounties in Mombasa County are among the known
hotspots. Females represent 64.0% (n=31) of the total
cases, while the 30–39 age group accounts for 50.0%
(n=24) of infections.

Of the 285 contacts listed since the onset of the outbreak,
13 have tested positive, and 26 remain under follow-up
as of 21 February 2025. Most (79.2%, n=38) of the cases
have recovered, while five case-patients are currently
hospitalized and five are undergoing home- based care.
Genetic sequencing of samples from 33 cases has
identified clade 1b as the circulating strain.

The outbreak in Kenya has primarily affected truck
drivers, sex workers, and their immediate contacts,
with clusters observed along the main A104 highway
(Kampala-Nakuru-Nairobi-Mombasa corridor). This
highway is a major international trade and transportation
route in East Africa, connecting Uganda, Rwanda, South
Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the
Port of Mombasa in Kenya

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC)
has been activated, and an Incident Management
System (IMS) established to coordinate the response.
A Joint mpox and Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Task
Force has been formed to streamline efforts, guided by
a draft National Response Plan and regular stakeholder
meetings to enhance collaboration. Health sector
partners have been engaged for resource mobilization
and response implementation. An Intra-Action Review
(IAR) was conducted to assess progress in response to
the outbreak and identify areas for improvement.
Screening measures have been intensified at Kenya’s
Points of Entry (POEs), with 466 873 travellers screened
across 26 POEs since the outbreak was declared.
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to
Mombasa, Nakuru, Kericho, Busia, and Taita Taveta to
conduct case investigations and support local response
efforts. Mpox case definitions, surveillance guidelines,
and a risk communication and community engagement
(RCCE) response plan have been developed to guide
outbreak detection and control.

Testing of suspected cases is ongoing, with genomic
sequencing playing a key role in guiding the response. So
far, 435 suspected cases have been tested, of which 48
were confirmed for mpox infection. Laboratory capacity
has been strengthened through staff deployment to the
National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), along with
the provision of critical diagnostic supplies and the
development of testing protocols to improve efficiency.
Over 196 154 individuals, including travellers, truck
drivers, and community members, have been sensitized
on mpox. A national RCCE strategy has been developed,
incorporating advocacy meetings and stakeholder
engagements to improve public awareness and
encourage preventive measures.

Healthcare workers at POEs have received targeted
training to enhance response capacity. Mpox-specific
training materials have been developed to improve
knowledge and preparedness among healthcare
workers.

Case management guidelines have been developed to
support the effective treatment of mpox cases. Plans
are underway to identify isolation centres in high-risk
counties and establish a new isolation centre in Thika,
Kiambu County to strengthen containment efforts.
WHO continue to provide technical and operational
support to the response, with the provision of critical
supplies and logistics, including personal protective
equipment and screening gadgets to enhance infection
prevention and control.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The mpox outbreak in Kenya presents a complex
public health challenge, given its geographic spread,
affected population groups, and potential for regional
transmission. The concentration of cases along the
A104 highway, a major trade corridor linking multiple
East African countries, raises concerns about cross-
border spread, particularly in a region already facing multiple infectious disease threats. The high proportion of female
cases and the clustering among truck drivers and sex workers suggest transmission dynamics driven by close-contact
exposure within highly mobile populations. The identification of clade 1b, a strain associated with more severe disease,
adds another layer of risk. While Kenya has taken commendable steps in responding to the outbreak, strengthened
cross-border coordination, targeted interventions for high-risk groups, and consideration of vaccination strategies, if
feasible, are critical for a regional approach, given the interconnected nature of East African trade and travel.

https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/disease-outbreaks/outbreaks-and-other-emergencies-updates

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Ministry of Health

@MOH_Kenya

PRESS STATEMENT: Kenya Receives 10,700 Mpox Vaccines to Combat Ongoing Outbreak


12:02 AM · Apr 10, 2025

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Special Briefing on Mpox and other Health Emergencies || April 24, 2025

Screenshot:

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.tv47.digital/busia-healt...x-cases-99363/

Busia: Health officials raise alarm over an increase in Mpox cases
By Stephanie Mukandairo
May 15, 2025

Health officials in Busia County have raised alarm over a surge in Mpox infections, urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facilities.

Busia currently leads with 39 confirmed Mpox cases since December, according to County Disease Surveillance Coordinator Evans Shiraku. Of these, three patients were Ugandan nationals treated at Busia County Referral Hospital. Alarmingly, four new cases were confirmed just last week.

Shiraku expressed concern over the low public awareness of the disease, particularly in Bunyala, Samia, and Butula sub-counties, where no cases have been officially reported. He warned that residents in these areas might be infected but are not seeking medical attention...

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Latest MoH announcement:

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https://www.afro.who.int/countries/chad/publication/weekly-bulletin-outbreak-and-other-emergencies-week-23-2-8-june-2025

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Translation Google

Kenya: Mpox infections reported to be increasing rapidly in Mombasa

By: Diana Wanyonyi, Mombasa
Published:11/07/2025 - 17:23
Edited:15/07/2025 - 08:11

The coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, has set up a special public health emergency operations center to control the spread of the Mpox disease.

Data from the Ministry of Health in Mombasa County shows that there has been an increase in Mpox infections between June and July 2025, with a total of 24 patients admitted to a special isolation facility at Utange Sub-Hospital where they continue to receive treatment.

Dr. Mohamed Hanif, the chief medical officer at the Mombasa County Health Department, said the disease was first reported in a prostitute on September 3rd last year.

"As of July 10 this year, since the outbreak, we have found 159 people who underwent medical examination and out of that, 98 people have been diagnosed with the disease, and out of that number of 98, two of them have died. We have 24 patients who are isolated at Utange Hospital," said Hanif.

A 12-year-old child is among those confirmed to have been infected, with most patients between the ages of 26 and 45.

According to Dr. Hanif, Mpox infection is spreading rapidly in the community, "Infections are occurring in all counties with Nyali leading at 23 percent and Changamwe at 19 percent and that does not mean that the infection is found only in these two sub-counties.

Disease Surveillance Coordinator Nasoro Mwanyalu said they are awaiting direction from the national government to distribute the vaccines to Mombasa county.

"The Mpox vaccine was received nationally and plans are underway but we have been assured that Mombasa county is one of the counties that will benefit from the vaccine, so we are awaiting direction on how the vaccine will be distributed to the community."

To prevent and control the disease, public health officer Hildegard Wasike has urged citizens to take hygiene measures similar to those for Covid-19 by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, wearing masks, avoiding gatherings of people and isolating themselves from Mpox patients.

Symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, muscle aches, and persistent cough.

https://www.rfi.fr/sw/e-a-c/20250711-kenya-maambukizo-ya-mpox-yaripotiwa-kuongezeka-kwa-kasi-mombasa

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Mombasa confirms two mpox deaths as infections surge in Nyali and Changamwe

By Farhiya Hussein
Monday, July 14, 2025
...
Health officials in Mombasa have confirmed two deaths linked to Mpox, as the number of new infections continues to rise across the coastal county.

According to Dr Mohammed Hanif, Mombasa County Director of Clinical Services, the virus, first detected in Kenya on July 31, 2024, has so far infected 226 people nationwide, with four fatalities reported. Mombasa is one of 21 counties with confirmed cases.
...

https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/coast/179032/mombasa-confirms-two-mpox-deaths-as-infections-surge-in-nyali-and-changamwe

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(Screenshot)
Special Briefing on Mpox and other Health Emergencies || July 24, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOyQafNEiGM

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Mombasa leads Kenya’s mpox outbreak as MoH, WHO step up response

By Farhiya Hussein
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
...
Mombasa County has emerged as the region with the highest number of mpox cases in the country, prompting swift action from the Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to curb the outbreak.

The Director-General of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, confirmed that out of the 300 cases recorded nationwide, Mombasa alone accounts for 139, the highest tally thus far.

“In light of the numbers we are seeing, it is crucial that we take immediate preventive steps. We are working hand in hand with WHO to launch a targeted vaccination campaign, and a specific date for this exercise will be made public in due course,” Dr Amoth said.
...

https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/health/187521/linear-gradient

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Nyeri Confirms First Mpox Case as National Tally Hits 314

By Golden Moses
August 5, 2025
...
Nyeri has become the 23rd county in Kenya to report a confirmed case of Mpox after a 60-year-old woman who travelled from Nairobi to Mathira East Sub-County tested positive for the virus.
...
The new case in Mathira comes just days after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that Kenya had recorded 314 confirmed cases of Mpox across 22 counties. The highest number of confirmed cases has been recorded in Mombasa (146), Busia (63), Nakuru (21), Kilifi (19), Nairobi (17) and Makueni (13).

Other counties with reported cases include Taita Taveta and Uasin Gishu, five each, Bungoma four, Kajiado, Kakamega and Kiambu three each, Kericho and Machakos two each, while Migori, Kisii, Kirinyaga, Isiolo, Kitui, Narok, Baringo and Trans Nzoia have one case each. Duale said new infections are still emerging, warning that the disease continues to spread.
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https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/mpox%2Boutbreak/190819/nyeri-becomes-23rd-county-to-report-confirmed-mpox-case-as-60-year-old-woman-tests-positive

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Bungoma health officials confirm one death linked to Mpox

KBC Channel 1
5 Aug 2025 #kbcchannel1 news #kbclive

Health officials in Bungoma County have confirmed one death linked to Mpox disease. Three other people who tested positive for Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) are undergoing treatment. The cases were detected at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, amid growing concerns about the spread of the virus through key border points. Dr. Caleb Wata, a senior health officer at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, confirmed that the deceased is a truck driver.
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Screenshot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r4O8WemST8

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Excerpt from the briefing

...Kenya is at this stage one, if not the country that is the most worrisome... we are fast tracking the support that we will be bringing to Kenya including a country mission that will happen in the next few days or few weeks...

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Kenya to launch mpox vaccination drive as cases rise
...
Katie Hudson
27 August 2025 12:34pm BST
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Clade 1b mpox – a new variant of the disease that first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo – has been circulating in Kenya since July last year but the outbreak has worsened in recent weeks.

The east African country has now reported 370 cases of the virus in total, with 157 of those coming in the last six weeks, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO). At least seven people have died, giving a case fatality rate of about two per cent.

The surge in infections has set off alarm bells among health officials, who are anxious to stop the virus from exploding as it has in Sierra Leone and the DRC, where tens of thousands of people have been affected.

“We’ve seen it in Kinshasa, we’ve seen it in Freetown … at some point the increase can be quite exponential,” said Professor Yap Boum II, assistant manager of Africa CDC’s mpox incident management team, as he unveiled the plans for the vaccination campaign.
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/kenya-to-launch-mpox-vaccination-drive-as-cases-rise/

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Screenshot:



Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || Sept.25, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZWtWTm4vFg