The Ministry of Health has announced that no new cases of Mpox have been identified in the country.

However, the ministry stated that close monitoring continues for the one confirmed case, involving a long-distance truck driver who traveled from Kampala in Uganda to Mombasa, then to Rwanda through Taita Taveta and Tanzania.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Health, the truck driver has now returned to Kenya, prompting an extensive contact tracing effort.

"We are tracing all close contacts at his workplace, the hospital where he was admitted, and along his travel routes," Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni stated.

In response to the confirmed Mpox case, the Ministry of Health has implemented a series of measures aimed at containing the potential spread of the virus and ensuring public safety.

The Ministry is tracing all close contacts of the truck driver along his travel itinerary within the country to identify any possible new cases and prevent further transmission.

Surveillance has been heightened in all counties along the Busia to Mombasa highway and the Mombasa to Taveta Road to identify all contacts and any other unidentified cases.

The Ministry is in communication with health authorities in neighbouring countries where the truck driver travelled, coordinating efforts to trace all potential contacts.

A rapid response team has been deployed to support affected counties with detailed investigations and necessary interventions.

Public Health Emergency Operation Centers have been activated across the country to manage and coordinate the response to the Mpox case. Incident management teams have been established to oversee and coordinate all response activities effectively.

The Ministry is closely monitoring the evolution of Mpox outbreaks in neighbouring countries to assess the risk of regional transmission and adjust response measures accordingly. 

"Counties are advised to sensitize the public on the outbreak, necessary preventive measures, and steps to take if they contract the disease. Key preventive measures include frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitiser, seeking early treatment, and avoiding close contact with sick persons," the statement said in part.

The Ministry has provided emergency hotline numbers for the public to report suspected cases and seek further information on the outbreak. The numbers are 719, 0729471414, and 0732353535.

The Ministry is working closely with County Government authorities, Port Health Authorities, and all relevant State Agencies and stakeholders to ensure all necessary interventions are in place to protect citizens from the outbreak.

As the situation evolves, the Ministry of Health remains committed to taking all necessary actions to prevent the spread of Mpox and safeguard public health. The public is urged to remain vigilant and adhere to the recommended preventive measures.