NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Ministry of Health on Tuesday confirmed five new mpox cases, bringing the total tally to 28 across the country's 12 counties.

Cabinet Secretary of Health Deborah Barasa said surveillance and preventive efforts are ongoing nationwide, urging Kenyans to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, Barasa said the newly confirmed cases include three from Nakuru County in west Kenya and two from Mombasa County in the coastal region.

"A total of 204 contacts have been identified, of whom 147 have completed the required 21-day follow-up," Barasa said.

She said eight individuals are currently under management, two are in self-isolation, 17 have fully recovered, and one fatality has been recorded since the outbreak began.

The ministry has screened a cumulative total of 2.21 million travelers at points of entry since the onset of the outbreak, Barasa said.

The National Public Health Laboratory has tested 322 samples, yielding 28 positive results, 292 negative results and two pending outcomes.

The ministry noted that mpox is a preventable disease if proper measures are followed.

"We urge Kenyans to remain vigilant and adhere to the guidelines issued by health authorities to curb the spread," the ministry said.

The surge in cases comes as Kenya prepares to receive vaccines in December. Kenya is one of five African nations slated to receive 50,000 doses of the mpox vaccine as part of the World Health Organization-led global efforts to prevent the disease's spread, which is rising across Africa.

Besides Kenya, other African countries reporting mpox cases include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Cameroon, Liberia, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Uganda, South Africa, Guinea, Gabon and Rwanda. Enditem

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