Nairobi: Kenya confirmed two more cases of mpox on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 33. Mary Muriuki, principal secretary at the Health Ministry, shared in a press release that the new cases were identified in the counties of Kericho and Taita Taveta, highlighting the spread of the outbreak across 12 counties.

According to Anadolu Agency, the press release detailed that 225 contacts were identified, with 216 individuals undergoing the recommended 21-day monitoring protocol. Among these contacts, nine were confirmed positive for mpox. The Kenyan government has stepped up its response by enhancing surveillance through active case searches, contact listing, tracing, investigation, and symptomatic confirmation of cases. Public engagement efforts have also been initiated to educate the population on mpox prevention and control measures.

Mpox, a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox, typically presents with symptoms such as high fever and skin lesions known as vesicles. The disease saw global outbreaks in 2022, affecting over 70 countries.

In August of last year, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. Within Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo is reported as the worst-affected nation, with over 49,000 suspected cases and 1,100 deaths confirmed on the continent since January 2024, as per data from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.