Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, has lauded the efforts of the public in combating Mpox outbreak as reports of cases in Kericho and Taita Taveta counties come to book bringing confirmed cases to 33 since the outbreak.
Speaking through a letter dated Friday, January 17, 2025 PS Muthoni highlighted the ministry’s pivotal role in eradicating Mpox through active case search, contact listing, tracing, investigations and symptomatic management of confirmed cases.
Reports confirm 225 contacts identified, 216 having been monitored for a period of 21 days. Of the monitored cases, 9 contacts have tested positive for Mpox disease.
The PS further raised eyebrows on risks that might occur if measures are not taken with the recent school openings.
“With the opening of schools across the republic, we wish to re-emphasize that children are at a heightened risk of severe illness from Mpox due to their underdeveloped immune systems,” Muthoni cautiously said.
She further confirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment and collaboration with Education sector to enhance school health education and other measures put in place.
“In view of this, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is enhancing school health education and other health measures in schools to prevent the spread of Mpox disease in these learning institutions,” she affirmed.
In view to curb and control Mpox spread in schools, the Ministry has recommended a set of guidelines for schools.
The schools have been charged with helping promote hygiene and sanitation where the students and staff have been encouraged to frequently wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol based sanitisers after touching shared surfaces or indulging in physical activities.
Further, the Ministry has informed the institutions of learning to help children recognize symptoms of Mpox and in case of any display, referrals to be done to a nearest healthcare facility for testing and refrain from attending school until cleared by a doctor.
The PS advised the schools to train their staff to identify symptoms and take appropriate action if case is suspected to be of Mpox.
While physical distancing is no longer mandatory in the public sphere, schools are charged to keep classrooms well-ventilated and that no crowding is witnessed.
School gatherings such as sports and assemblies ought to follow health and safety guidelines as the public is urged to seek accurate and current information and not be misled in any way possible.
The health PS has asked the public to seek guidance from qualified personnel in the health sector through their website www.health.go.ke or ministry hotlines at 719 , 0729471414 or 0732353535 to help combat the outbreak and safeguard the people of Kenya.
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