UK Gov't adds Mpox on list of health risks in Kenya after single case

This was updated on the government website's foreign travel advice page which seeks to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling to Kenya.  

According to the travel advice, the health risks include mpox, malaria and dengue (viral infection), zika virus (spread by mosquitoes) and schistosomiasis (a chronic disease caused by parasitic worms). 

Mpox or monkeypox is an infectious disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus and leads to rash and flu-like symptoms. It is transmitted through close contact and although the majority of the cases are mild, some could be severe and can lead to death. 

The UK government warned British citizens to plan before their trip to check for vaccine recommendations in the country. 

Further, the citizens are advised to ensure they have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment and also assess if the destination has adequate healthcare services.

"This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant," read part of the UK government's website. 

The advisory comes after one Mpox case was recorded in Kenya after a truck driver was identified at the Taveta One Stop Border Point on July 22, 2024. This is after he had travelled through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. 

Public Health PS Mary Muthoni later revealed that the driver had recovered from the disease after receiving medical treatment. 

“The patient has recovered. However, due to the infectiousness of Mpox and as per international guidelines for mpox response, the Ministry of Health and the County Health Department of Taita Taveta began identifying all persons that had been in close contact with the patient,” Muthoni said.

The PS assured the public that they were coordinating with neighbouring countries to identify any contacts and other potential cases. 

The disease has been a cause for concern in Africa after a hike in the viral infection rate especially in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

WHO also reported on the outbreak of mpox in Africa, highlighting that it was Kenya's first-ever case of the virus. 

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director General, Jean Kaseya, estimated the cases to have risen from 79 per cent in 2022-2023 to 160 per cent in 2023-2024.

"This is one of the aspects that is alarming us," he said on August 8, 2024, noting that they are likely to declare the virus a public health emergency.