Kenya issues alert on Ebola outbreak

Kenya’s health ministry on Tuesday released an alert on Ebola outbreak following the disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health Jackson Kioko said the government has reactivated the rapid response teams for enhanced surveillance and follow up of travelers with elevated body temperatures and asymptomatic cases with history of travel from DRC.

“We wish to assure Kenyans that there is no suspected case of Ebola virus in the country and they should remain vigilant.

“They should look out for any such illnesses and report to the nearest health facility without delay for immediate verification and investigation,” Kioko said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

He noted that travelers from the affected areas will be required to provide minimum package of information to guide investigations.

Kioko noted that the government has an adequate stock of Personal Protective Equipment which is stored in strategic regional hospitals for use if needed.

These include at least 5,000 special full body suits used in situations of highly infectious material.

He said that the ministry has reactivated the multiagency outbreak coordination committee comprising of public health experts in government and development partners to assess the situation.

He said holding rooms at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have been reactivated to isolate Ebola virus disease suspected cases identified to be high risk while awaiting possible transfer to isolation facilities after thorough assessment.

“The government will remain committed to ensure appropriate and effective measures are instituted in order to protect Kenyans and the general public from imported Ebola Virus,” he added.

He however said that the outbreak has occurred in a remote zone in DRC and that with timely effective responses in place, the disease is unlikely to spread widely in the region.