Kenya is grappling with a rising outbreak of mpox, with new findings revealing that nearly a quarter of patients diagnosed with the disease are also living with HIV. The correlation between untreated HIV and severe mpox outcomes has raised alarm among health officials, who are preparing to launch a targeted vaccination campaign in July 2025.
Data from July 2024 to February 2025 shows that out of 48 confirmed mpox cases, 11 individuals approximately 22.9 per cent were HIV-positive. One of the co-infected patients died, having been hospitalised for complications linked to advanced HIV, including cryptococcal meningitis and severe skin infections. Another tragic case involved a pregnant woman who delivered a stillborn.
The report, based on outbreak investigations and clinical records, also highlights that 62 per cent of the patients presented with genital lesions, indicating that transmission occurred primarily through sexual contact. The current outbreak is linked to the Clade Ib strain, a more transmissible and potentially deadlier variant that first appeared in eastern DRC in late 2023 and has since spread to several East African countries.
The pattern of infections suggests that the disease has particularly affected mobile and high-risk populations. A significant portion of the cases over 56 per cent involve people operating along the Mombasa–Malaba transport corridor. These include truck drivers, sex workers, and individuals working in and around roadside lodges and truck stopovers. The Ministry of Health confirmed the first Kenyan case on July 29, 2024, near the Taita Taveta border with Tanzania.
Despite the presence of HIV in many mpox cases, health experts note that HIV does not necessarily increase the risk of contracting mpox. However, people with weakened immune system such as those with untreated or poorly managed HIV face a higher chance of developing severe illness and complications if infected.
Kenya, where approximately 1.4 million people live with HIV, plans to roll out mpox vaccinations targeting the most vulnerable groups, particularly those in high-transmission zones and those who are immunocompromised. The country received doses through an international access initiative and aims to start distribution in July.
So far, 137 cases of mpox have been confirmed in Kenya, spread across 17 counties. Busia and Mombasa lead in reported cases, followed by Nakuru and Makueni. While only one death has been recorded, health authorities remain vigilant, emphasizing public cooperation and the need to protect high-risk communities.
Efforts are ongoing to strengthen surveillance, raise awareness, and reduce stigma surrounding mpox and HIV, with health workers at the forefront of outreach and treatment services.
