The government has confirmed that Mpox cases have been reported in 40 counties as Kenya strengthens its surveillance and response systems for public health emergencies.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 14, the Ministry of Interior said Mombasa, Nairobi and Busia had recorded the highest number of Mpox cases, while the Ministry of Health continued to monitor suspected infections.
The ministry said all suspected cases were undergoing confirmatory laboratory testing, with Mpox management now incorporated into routine healthcare services.
The government has also reported cases of Dengue fever, particularly in Garissa and Wajir, where suspected deaths are being investigated.
Authorities said they had enhanced coordination at county and sub-county levels, laboratory testing at the National Reference Laboratory, case management and infection prevention measures. Community awareness campaigns have also been intensified to educate the public on transmission, prevention and control.
Meanwhile, measles cases have been detected in several counties, with Baringo, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera and Garissa among those recording the highest numbers.
The government said no deaths linked to measles had been reported, but active case searches, surveillance, treatment, infection prevention and community engagement had been intensified.
Despite increased preparations for a possible Ebola outbreak, the government maintained that Kenya has not recorded a confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease.
All suspected Ebola cases tested so far have returned negative results.
The government has, however, activated the National EVD Incident Management System and enhanced preparedness at both national and county levels to ensure a swift response should a case be detected.
Four laboratories have been designated to conduct Ebola tests. They are the National Public Health Laboratory, KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu and a mobile laboratory serving Busia and Bungoma counties.
Preparedness measures include training healthcare workers, conducting simulation exercises, sensitising stakeholders and preparing isolation facilities. Authorities are also stockpiling personal protective equipment and other infection prevention and control supplies.
Surveillance has additionally been intensified at Points of Entry, where travellers and vehicles are being screened. Communities and travellers in border areas are also being sensitised about potential health threats.
Multi-agency teams comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service and National Government Administration Officers have been trained to enhance surveillance at informal border crossings, truck-driver stopovers and other areas with high human traffic.
The government said the measures were aimed at improving Kenya’s capacity to detect and respond to public health threats at an early stage, particularly due to the movement of people and goods across the country’s borders.
The Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee assured the public that the surveillance and response measures remained in place, while urging Kenyans to remain vigilant, follow verified health advice and report suspected cases to the nearest health facility or relevant authorities.
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The government’s latest update comes two weeks after President William Ruto announced an agreement between Kenya and US pharmaceutical company Pfizer.
The agreement, signed between Pfizer and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority under the Accord for a Healthier World initiative, is expected to lower the cost of cancer medicines and improve access to newer treatments.
Ruto said prices of medicines used to treat several cancers, including breast, stomach, colon, lung, prostate, oesophageal, leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma cancers, had fallen significantly.
He said some medicines that previously cost as much as KSh1 million per treatment cycle would now cost less than KSh50,000.
According to the President, the price reductions are also expected to enable the KSh800,000 cancer treatment package under the Social Health Authority to cover patients without additional payments.
He added that the agreement would reduce delays in accessing newer cancer medicines, allowing Kenyan patients to obtain advanced treatments without the lengthy waiting period previously experienced.