Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has criticized Saudi Arabia's travel restrictions, imposed due to the Ebola situation in Kenya. Duale stated that the measures are excessive and not supported by the country's epidemiological situation. He emphasized that Kenya has contained the outbreak within a single cluster linked to an imported case, with no evidence of community transmission and no new infections reported since October 19.
According to Duale, the country has traced all 135 contacts linked to the index case and placed 118 of them under quarantine as part of efforts to prevent further spread of the disease. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that all eight confirmed cases are linked to the index case, comprising four healthcare workers and four close family members. The disease has claimed two lives, including the index case, while seven patients remain under medical care and are progressing well.
Duale reported that five of the seven patients have returned a first negative Ebola test after completing treatment and are awaiting a second test scheduled for Monday, November 2. The Ministry is optimistic that the five will be discharged on Tuesday, November 3, alongside 46 contacts who remain under quarantine but have not developed symptoms. A total of 20 people have already been released from quarantine.
The Ministry's statement comes as the government steps up diplomatic efforts to persuade Saudi Arabia to review and lift restrictions imposed over the outbreak. Saudi Arabia announced measures suspending travel to and arrivals from Kenya, including visa restrictions and a ban on people who had been in the country during the preceding 21 days. Kenya has protested the decision, arguing that the restrictions are disproportionate and not supported by scientific evidence.
Duale emphasized that the measures do not reflect the progress made in containing the outbreak and called on the international community to support Kenya's response rather than isolate the country. He stated that Kenya has demonstrated leadership and transparency, and what the country requires from the international community is support and collaboration, not condemnation, travel restrictions, or isolation.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs will continue engaging Saudi Arabia on the matter. Duale thanked Kenyans for their cooperation during the outbreak, urging continued unity as health authorities work to complete treatment and monitoring of the remaining patients and contacts. The progress made in containing the outbreak demonstrates that Kenya's response is working and that the outbreak is nearing an end.
The government's efforts to engage Saudi Arabia and the international community aim to have the travel restrictions lifted, allowing for the resumption of normal travel and trade between Kenya and Saudi Arabia. The situation remains under close monitoring, with the Ministry of Health providing regular updates on the outbreak and the progress made in containing it.
Key points
- The Ministry of Health has contained the Ebola outbreak within a single cluster linked to an imported case, with no evidence of community transmission.
- Saudi Arabia's travel restrictions have been protested by Kenya, which argues that they are disproportionate and not supported by scientific evidence.
- The Ministry of Health is optimistic that five patients will be discharged on Tuesday, November 3, alongside 46 contacts who remain under quarantine but have not developed symptoms.
