Kenya has identified its initial case of mpox, according to the health ministry's announcement on Wednesday. This comes as the East African regional group advises vigilance due to the ongoing outbreak. The ministry disclosed that the viral infection was discovered in a traveler at a southern border crossing, who was journeying from Uganda to Rwanda via Kenya. This detection follows Burundi's report on July 25 of three confirmed cases, and the Democratic Republic of Congo's update on July 20, which listed over 11,000 suspected cases, including approximately 450 fatalities.
In response, the eight-member East African Community (EAC) issued a caution on Monday, urging member countries to inform their citizens about protective measures and ways to prevent the spread of mpox. The EAC also plans to organize a meeting of health experts to discuss the situation, though a specific date was not provided. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Historically, it has been predominantly confined to certain West and Central African countries, with transmission primarily from infected animals, such as through bushmeat consumption.
In May 2022, global mpox infections experienced a significant increase, fueled by a new subtype, Clade II, replacing Clade I. This led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, which was later lifted in May 2023. However, since September of the previous year, a more lethal strain of Clade I, known as Clade Ib, has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The WHO continues to advise populations to stay alert regarding the virus.
