The Ministry of Health has announced the recovery of the country’s first Mpox patient, a truck driver who was initially isolated at Taveta Sub-County Hospital after exhibiting symptoms for two weeks.

The patient, who reported to Taveta One Stop Border Point on July 22, 2024, was confirmed to have Mpox by the National Public Health Laboratories on July 29, 2024.

Despite the patient’s recovery, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the County Health Department of Taita Taveta, has launched extensive contact tracing measures to prevent further spread.

All individuals who were in close contact with the patient, including at his workplace, the hospital, and along his travel routes, are being monitored. So far, no additional cases have been confirmed in Kenya.

The truck driver’s travel history, which includes Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, has prompted the Ministry to work closely with neighboring countries to identify any further contacts or potential cases. This is critical given ongoing Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Ministry of health PS Mary Muthoni Muriuki, reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to collaborating with County Government authorities and relevant partners to ensure all necessary interventions are in place to safeguard citizens from the Mpox outbreak.