The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised against any restrictions on travel to or trade with Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Uganda following the reported imported case of Ebola in Kenya. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyes noted that the Agency is supporting the governments of Kenya, the DRC, and Uganda in contact tracing, surveillance, screening, and other response measures to identify potential cases and prevent further spread of the virus.
Kenya's Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed the country's first case of Ebola, stating that the patient was a Kenyan citizen living in the DRC for the past seven years. The patient fell ill about a month ago and was treated in several hospitals while still in the DRC before travelling to Kenya via Uganda. He was admitted to a Nairobi hospital and died later on Monday night.
According to CS Duale, so far, 28 contacts including family members and health workers have been identified, while authorities are tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight. Quarantine arrangements have been put in place and the designated facility is ready to receive them. The CS said Kenya has trained 4,971 healthcare workers at both national and county levels on Ebola Virus Disease case management, infection prevention, and control.
Director General for Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth said the medication the patient was taking masked some of his symptoms, resulting in a false-negative screening outcome. He added that contacts identified with connection to this case will be isolated for 21 days. The Ebola Virus Disease has an incubation period of 2–21 days; therefore, contacts will remain in isolation for up to 21 days.
As part of the preparedness measures, an isolation facility with a capacity of 49 people has been established at the National Police Service Hospital along Mbagathi Way. Additional isolation facilities are also available at Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The Ministry of Health has taken steps to ensure that the situation is brought under control.
WHO will continue to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to the epidemic. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the affected countries based on the currently available information. The organization is working closely with the governments of Kenya, the DRC, and Uganda to respond to the outbreak.
The Kenyan government has put in place measures to prevent further spread of the virus, including enhanced surveillance, screening, and contact tracing. The public is being urged to remain calm and take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. Authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that the situation is brought under control and that the public is protected.
Key points
- WHO advises against travel restrictions to Kenya, DRC, and Uganda.
- Kenya reports its first Ebola case, a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC.
- Authorities have identified 28 contacts and are tracing 23 passengers and four crew members who were on the same flight as the patient.
