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
https://www.facebook.com/MinstryofH...EpSiMrrYgAMkaVFbAyDaNoQQNiU7f41unKDK7qSk5w84l
One new confirmed Mpox case in the last 24 hours; total now at 4.
