Kenya's Ministry of Health has objected to Saudi Arabia's decision to halt travel from Kenya and stop issuing visas to Kenyan travellers. The Ministry says the measures are excessive and unsupported by the current epidemiological data. The decision was made after Saudi authorities announced a suspension of travel by its citizens to Kenya, a freeze on all visa categories for Kenyan nationals, and a ban on entry for anyone arriving from Kenya.
The Kingdom's public health authorities assessed the situation and implemented the restrictions to prevent the virus from spreading across its borders. However, Kenya's health minister, Dr. Amos Duale, reported that all 135 contacts linked to the imported Ebola case have been identified, with 118 placed under quarantine. The confirmed infections remain confined to the original cluster with no community transmission reported since October 19.
By October 26, Kenya had recorded nine confirmed Ebola infections and two deaths. This prompted intensified contact tracing, testing, surveillance, and entry-point screening. The ministry reported that five of seven patients under treatment have tested negative for Ebola and are awaiting a second test on November 2, with discharge expected on November 3.
Alongside the patients, 46 asymptomatic contacts and 20 previously released individuals are being monitored. Kenya's Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has asked Saudi Arabia to review and lift the restrictions, arguing that the measures are disproportionate and lack scientific justification.
The foreign ministry also urged Saudi Arabia to submit its justification to the World Health Organization within 48 hours, as required under the International Health Regulations, and to review the measures within three months. This move aims to ensure that the restrictions are based on scientific evidence and are not unnecessarily harming Kenya's economy and people.
Kenya indicated it will coordinate with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to highlight the restrictions as an example of disproportionate travel limitations affecting the continent. The country is working to demonstrate that the measures are not only excessive but also have negative impacts on the economy and the movement of people.
As of now, Kenya's Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation and work towards containing the Ebola outbreak. The Ministry's efforts focus on contact tracing, testing, and providing care to those affected, while also engaging with international partners to address the travel restrictions and ensure a proportionate response to the outbreak.
Key points
- The travel ban imposed by Saudi Arabia on Kenya has been rejected by Kenya's Ministry of Health as excessive and unsupported by scientific evidence.
- Kenya has recorded nine confirmed Ebola infections and two deaths as of October 26.
- The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has urged Saudi Arabia to review and lift the restrictions, citing a lack of scientific justification.
