Kenya’s Health Ministry confirmed two additional cases of mpox on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 33.
Mary Muriuki, the principal secretary at the Health Ministry, announced that the new cases were identified in Kericho and Taita Taveta counties. The outbreak has now spread across 12 counties.
As of now, health authorities have identified 225 contacts, with 216 individuals undergoing a 21-day monitoring period. Among those monitored, nine tested positive for the virus.
The government has ramped up efforts to curb the outbreak, focusing on active case searches, contact tracing, and symptomatic confirmation of suspected cases. Public education on prevention and control measures is also underway.
Mpox, a viral disease closely related to smallpox, manifests through high fever and skin lesions known as vesicles. The disease has sparked global concern since outbreaks in 2022 spread to over 70 countries.
The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern last August. Despite efforts to contain the disease, it continues to affect various nations.
In Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the hardest-hit country, with over 49,000 suspected cases and 1,100 deaths reported since January 2024. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to monitor the situation closely.