Take measures to avoid spread of Monkeypox

Primary schools reopened yesterday amidst a myriad of challenges. They included a strike threat by teachers, under the Kenya National Union of Teachers, which was called off at the last minute. Their secondary school counterparts were, however, not as lucky after their teachers downed tools.

As the primary school learners settle down, the government and teachers must realise that it is not business as usual. Schools are reopening at a time when the country has already confirmed two cases of Monkeypox (mpox).

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared the Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa on August 13, 2024. The World Health Organisation has also declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. By last week, more than 200 cases of mpox had been detected in the East African region, 170 of them in Burundi. 

Mpox is not a major threat to Kenya currently and the Health ministry of has said as much. However, that doesn’t mean we should not take precautions.

It is noteworthy that the government has already stepped up vigilance at border points in a bid to stop further entry of the virus, is monitoring the situation inland and the country is set to receive the first batch of mpox vaccines. However public education about this disease and how to keep it a bay is still inadequate. The government should therefore do more to sensitise the public through mass media campaigns and other channels.

In addition, the government should ensure that learners are educated about this nascent threat early enough  and encouraged to take preventive action. Fortunately, some simple measures, such as handwashing, that came in handy during the Covid-19 pandemic, can greatly help to reduce the spread of mpox. However, for that to happen the government must ensure that every school has plenty of water, soap and anything else that is needed to keep the children safe. When learners are taught how to protect themselves, they are likely to do the same at home as a result educating their families how to follow suit.