By Andrew Kariuki
The Ministry of Health has intensified Ebola preparedness and surveillance measures across the country following fresh outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda.
In a circular addressed to the Council of Governors and county health departments, the ministry directed all counties to immediately strengthen screening, surveillance and emergency response systems at all entry points into the country.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said counties must increase monitoring within health facilities, particularly in areas with high levels of cross-border movement and international travel.
The ministry also instructed county governments to strengthen community-based and event-based surveillance systems to allow early detection and reporting of suspected Ebola cases.
According to the directive, counties and points of entry are expected to designate holding facilities where suspected cases can temporarily be assessed before further medical action is taken.
“All points of entry and counties are to have designated facilities to serve as holding rooms to accommodate suspected cases as they are assessed,” Muthoni stated.
However, the PS clarified that authorities would prioritize screening and early detection rather than unnecessary isolation of travelers.
“We may not hold drivers. If they have not been confirmed then we cannot isolate them as such. What we do is screen and ensure capacity to detect early,” she explained.
The ministry further ordered counties to intensify public awareness campaigns on Ebola symptoms, prevention measures and reporting procedures while also conducting refresher training for healthcare workers on case identification and response protocols.
The heightened preparedness comes after reports that the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC’s Ituri Province has so far recorded approximately 246 suspected infections and at least 80 deaths.
On Sunday, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and urged countries to strengthen surveillance systems to prevent regional spread.
Although WHO stated that the situation does not currently qualify as a pandemic emergency, the agency warned that the outbreak could be larger than currently reported and carries a significant risk of local and cross-border transmission.
Health officials noted that the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, first identified in Uganda in 2007, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment despite its high fatality rate.
Ebola symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, severe weakness and, in some cases, internal and external bleeding. Health experts say the disease has an incubation period ranging between two and 21 days.
