Kenyan President William Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee (NSCC) to convene and assess the situation following the confirmation of an imported Ebola Virus Disease case. The case resulted in the death of a patient. In a statement, the Head of State also directed the committee to recommend necessary measures to safeguard the country against further transmission of the disease. This move aims to strengthen the country's response to the outbreak.
The government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and other public health measures to prevent further transmission of the disease. Eight family members of the deceased have been traced and placed under quarantine, undergoing daily symptom monitoring. Additionally, 21 healthcare workers who attended to the deceased have been placed under quarantine and are being closely monitored. Contact tracing has also been extended to passengers who traveled on the same flight as the deceased into the country.
A total of 27 passengers who may have had contact with the deceased have been identified and contacted, with appropriate public health measures being undertaken. The government has also ensured that the deceased was safely buried in accordance with established public health protocols. This approach builds on the preparedness and surveillance systems Kenya has maintained since the Ebola outbreak began.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has screened 652,584 travelers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories. These include the National Virology Reference Laboratory (NVRL), KEMRI Nairobi, KEMRI Kisumu, and two mobile laboratories deployed at the Busia border in Busia County and the Lwakhakha border in Bungoma County. Only one sample has returned a positive result, that of the deceased patient, with no additional positive cases detected.
The government has trained a total of 4,971 healthcare workers at national and subnational levels in Ebola prevention, detection, and management. Designated facilities for the management of Ebola Virus Disease include Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, National Police Hospital, and The Nairobi Hospital, as well as a number of county isolation centers. Additional county isolation centers are available, with the government prepared to expand capacity and designate more facilities as needed.
The government has urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant, observing strict hand hygiene and avoiding contact with persons exhibiting symptoms associated with Ebola Virus Disease. These symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding. The public is also encouraged to promptly report to health authorities any person suspected to have been exposed to Ebola Virus Disease or displaying symptoms consistent with the disease.
The Ministry of Health will issue further guidelines on safeguards and preventive measures for individuals and institutions to minimize the risk of transmission. The government will continue to monitor the situation closely, take all necessary measures to protect the public, and keep Kenyans informed of further developments. Key efforts include strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, testing, and treatment capacity as necessary to deal with the public health emergency.
Key points
- President Ruto has directed the National Security Council Committee to assess the Ebola situation and recommend measures to prevent further transmission.
- The government has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public health measures to prevent further transmission of the disease.
- A total of 4,971 healthcare workers have been trained in Ebola prevention, detection, and management.
