As health officials scramble to contain a recent Mpox outbreak in Kenya, the government has issued a stern warning against the handling and consumption of bush meat. The call, made by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, points to the growing threat posed by zoonotic diseases, which can leap from animals to humans.
Miano’s advisory is not just a routine health notice; it carries a sense of urgency as the nation grapples with the potential of a wider outbreak. While the cases of Mpox remain isolated, the CS stressed that the situation could escalate if Kenyans continue to engage in risky behaviours like consuming bush meat, which is notorious for being a conduit for various deadly diseases.
Recent developments have added gravity to Miano’s warning. On Friday, a truck driver traveling from Uganda was confirmed as Kenya’s second Mpox case. The driver, who had recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo—where the disease is rampant—was isolated at a health facility in Busia County after presenting symptoms at the Malaba border.
This case has reignited fears of a larger health crisis, particularly given Uganda’s recent confirmation of additional cases.
The Ministry of Health, under the leadership of CS Deborah Barasa, has been on high alert, having screened over 426,000 travellers at the country’s entry points. However, despite extensive screening and testing efforts, the spectre of Mpox remains a pressing concern. The confirmation of a new variant of the virus in Uganda, which is more easily transmissible among humans, has only heightened the sense of impending crisis.
Miano’s advisory, backed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), highlights the interconnectedness of human, livestock, and wildlife health. The One Health approach, which integrates the efforts of the Directorate of Veterinary Service and the Ministry of Health, aims to monitor and mitigate zoonotic threats. Yet, the success of this strategy hinges on public cooperation, particularly in avoiding bush meat.
The dangers of bush meat extend far beyond Mpox. Miano listed a harrowing array of diseases linked to the handling and consumption of wildlife, including Ebola, Anthrax, and Avian Flu. The risk is exacerbated by the ongoing impacts of climate change, which disrupt ecosystems and increase the likelihood of disease emergence. The CS’s message was clear: Kenyans must steer clear of bush meat to avoid not just Mpox, but a whole host of potentially deadly illnesses.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013 explicitly prohibits bush meat poaching and hunting, a point Miano reiterated in her advisory. Engaging in these illegal activities not only endangers public health but also carries severe legal consequences. The government’s crackdown on bush meat is part of a broader effort to protect both human and animal populations from the spread of zoonotic diseases.
As the situation unfolds, the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the spread of Mpox closely. While 40 of the 42 samples tested so far have returned negative, the two positive cases are a stark reminder that the threat is far from over. The public is urged to remain vigilant and to heed the warnings issued by health and wildlife authorities.
