Kenya Receives 10,700 Doses of Mpox Vaccine

Synopsis

Kenya has received a shipment of 10,700 mpox vaccine doses, enhancing its strategies against the disease. The vaccines come as part of a collaboration with international health organizations, marking a significant step in controlling the outbreak, which has seen 67 confirmed cases and one fatality since July 2024.

Key Takeaways

Kenya receives 10,700 mpox vaccine doses.
Collaboration with international health organizations.
Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing measures planned.
67 confirmed mpox cases recorded since July 2024.
Mpox spreads through close contact.

Nairobi, April 10 (NationPress) On Thursday, Kenya welcomed 10,700 doses of mpox vaccines, enhancing its fight against the disease. The government secured these vaccines through a partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Gavi, the vaccine alliance, as stated by Aden Duale, the cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Health.

According to the statement, “The arrival of the vaccines marks a significant milestone in the national strategy to disrupt transmission and minimize further spread of the disease.”

These vaccines will be used in conjunction with other measures such as enhanced surveillance at 26 border points, contact tracing, and treatment, as emphasized by the minister.

Since the disease outbreak in Kenya in July 2024, there have been 67 confirmed cases and one fatality, Duale mentioned, as reported by Xinhua.

In November of the previous year, Kenya was one of nine African nations earmarked for mpox vaccine doses due to rising cases on the continent. The other countries included the Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.

The WHO notes that mpox is a contagious disease that may result in a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, muscle pain, back pain, and fatigue. Most individuals recover fully, but some may experience severe illness, according to Xinhua.

Mpox is primarily transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including household members. Close contact encompasses skin-to-skin and mouth-to-mouth interactions, as well as being face-to-face with an infected individual, which may produce infectious respiratory particles.

Symptoms of mpox typically appear within a week but can manifest 1 to 21 days post-exposure. Generally, symptoms last between 2 to 4 weeks, though they may persist longer for individuals with weakened immune systems.

For some, the initial symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may first experience fever, muscle aches, or a sore throat.

The mpox rash generally initiates on the face and can spread throughout the body, reaching the palms and soles. It may also begin on other body parts where contact occurs, such as the genitals. The rash starts as a flat sore, progresses to a blister filled with liquid, and can be itchy or painful. As it heals, the lesions dry, crust over, and eventually fall off.