NAIROBI – Kenyan health authorities confirmed new cases of Mpox in Homa Bay and Kisumu counties on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, prompting urgent public health responses as the nation grapples with a persistent outbreak of the more severe Clade Ib variant. The new infections, involving a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam supervisor and a man who recently travelled from South Sudan, underscore the continued community transmission and cross-border risk facing the country.

In Kisumu, the county recorded its first-ever confirmed case in a 42-year-old male who had travelled from Juba, South Sudan. According to a statement from the Kisumu County Department of Public Health and Sanitation, the patient developed symptoms while in Juba and was admitted to Kisumu County Referral Hospital upon his arrival. Officials have placed him in isolation where he is reported to be in stable condition. A public alert has been issued for all passengers who travelled on a Simba Coach bus from Busia to Kisumu on the morning of Tuesday, November 19, 2025, as they are considered potential contacts.

Meanwhile, Homa Bay County confirmed its second case of the virus. The patient is a 44-year-old man from Ndhiwa sub-county who reportedly developed symptoms while supervising the recent KCSE examinations at Okok Secondary School. He is currently isolated and receiving care at the Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital, according to the County Government Spokesperson, Atieno Otieno. A multi-sectoral coordination team is managing the response for both confirmed cases in the county.

The National Picture: A Deepening Outbreak

These latest cases are part of a wider national outbreak of the Mpox Clade Ib variant that Kenya has been battling since July 2024. This strain, which spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is considered more transmissible and severe. As of late October 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Kenya had 708 confirmed cases and nine deaths. The outbreak has now reached 31 of Kenya's 47 counties. Mombasa County remains the epicentre, accounting for 41% of all confirmed infections.

Data from the WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that transmission in Kenya is concentrated along the main transport corridor from the port of Mombasa to the Malaba border with Uganda. High-risk populations have included truck drivers, sex workers, and their close contacts. A concerning statistic from the outbreak is that nearly all fatalities have been among people living with HIV, highlighting the severe risk for immunocompromised individuals.

Understanding Mpox: Symptoms and Transmission

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which is related to smallpox. According to the WHO, symptoms typically appear between one and 21 days after exposure. The illness often begins with flu-like symptoms including fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

Following this initial phase, a characteristic skin rash develops, which can last for two to four weeks. The rash progresses through several stages, from flat spots to painful, raised lesions that fill with clear fluid and then pus, before scabbing over and falling off. The rash can appear on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and genitals.

The virus spreads primarily through close, direct contact with an infected person's rash, scabs, or bodily fluids. This includes skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, and sexual contact. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact or by touching contaminated materials such as clothing, bedding, or towels.

How to Stay Safe: Prevention and Control

In response to the ongoing outbreak, Kenya's Ministry of Health and county health departments have reiterated public safety guidelines. The core prevention strategies recommended by global and local health bodies include:

• Avoiding Close Contact: Steer clear of skin-to-skin contact with individuals who have an Mpox-like rash.
• Practicing Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Not Sharing Personal Items: Avoid sharing clothing, towels, bedding, and utensils with a person who has Mpox.
• Seeking Medical Care: Anyone who develops a new, unexplained rash or other Mpox symptoms should seek immediate medical evaluation from a healthcare provider.
• Isolation: Individuals diagnosed with Mpox should isolate at home or another location until the rash has fully healed to prevent further transmission, as advised by the CDC.

Health authorities continue to enhance surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns to manage and contain the spread of the virus. The public is urged to remain vigilant and adhere to all public health advisories to protect themselves and the wider community.