The government on Wednesday, May 25 issued an update on Monkeypox, a viral disease that is fast spreading globally.
At a press briefing, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache confirmed that there was no Monkeypox case reported in the country yet.
According to Mochache, there was nothing to fear about the viral disease as the Ministry of Health was on high alert and measures were in place.
“As a country, we want to assure Kenyans that we have robust surveillance systems and we have heightened our surveillance at every point of entry into our country.
“I want to assure the country that we have nothing to worry about so far. We have no reported case of monkeypox in Kenya neither do we have it reported anywhere in East Africa,” Mochache told the press.
She added that the disease presents itself like chickenpox but the rushes were slightly bigger and were painful but not itchy
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 80 confirmed cases of Monkeypox with outbreaks reported in 11 countries so far.
WHO said that it was working closely with the affected countries to provide guidance on how to manage the disease and expand disease surveillance.
According to United Nations (UN) health agency, Monkeypox outbreak has been transmitted primarily by close skin-to-skin contact, although the virus can also be passed by breath droplets and contaminated bedding.
The incubation period of Monkeypox is usually from six to 13 days but can range from five to 21 days.
