Kenya has intensified measures to contain Ebola following the country’s first confirmed case and death, with health officials stepping up contact tracing and surveillance across the country.
As of Wednesday morning, 10 people had been admitted to quarantine facilities, while health authorities had identified 57 people who came into contact with the patient or their relatives. Ministry of Health officials are continuing to follow up on the identified contacts, meaning the number is expected to change as more people are reached.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the country remained on high alert, with health officers activated across the country to respond quickly to any suspected cases.
Speaking after chairing a stakeholder meeting at the Ministry of Health headquarters, Muthoni said the ministry was working closely with county governments and faith-based health facilities to prepare for a possible increase in the number of people requiring monitoring or treatment.
She also sought to reassure the public, saying Kenya was not dealing with an outbreak but an imported case that was under management.
The ministry has continued monitoring people who may have had contact with the patient and those already placed in quarantine or isolation facilities.
Health officials are expected to maintain close follow-up as they establish the movement and contacts linked to the confirmed case.
Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said health authorities remained prepared to deal with any developments. He said the country had adequate quarantine facilities and could establish temporary facilities if the need arose.
Surveillance has also been increased at 15 points of entry as the government seeks to detect suspected cases early.
Treatment centres are being activated in counties located near Kenya’s borders as part of the measures to strengthen preparedness.
The government is also relying on regular communication between national and county health officials, medical facilities and other stakeholders.
The meeting agreed that periodic consultations would be held to review the response, share updates and identify areas that require further action.
The Ministry of Health said Kenya currently has 23 isolation and treatment centres. They include Kenyatta National Hospital, National Police Service Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and the US-funded quarantine centre at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced on Tuesday that Kenya had recorded its first case and death from Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
The patient arrived in Kenya from Kampala on October 3 aboard a Jambojet flight after travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The patient later died at Nairobi Hospital on Monday night and was buried on Tuesday.
The government has meanwhile started mobilising resources for the Ebola response.
The National Treasury has set aside an initial Ksh2.6 billion under a preliminary Ebola response mitigation fund to support the Ministry of Health in preparing for and containing the disease.
The government is also targeting about Ksh70 billion for the wider response, with a significant portion of the funding expected to come from international partners.
Health authorities are focusing on tracing contacts, monitoring those already in quarantine and strengthening surveillance at entry points.
Officials have urged continued vigilance while maintaining that the confirmed case remains under management.
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