As Ebola cases in neighboring Uganda continue to rise, experts have urged Kenyans to be vigilant rather than fearful.

This comes just days after a suspected case in Kakamega County caused residents to panic.

So far, the Ugandan Health Ministry has reported 38 confirmed cases and eight deaths attributed to the disease.

Normalcy has returned to Mumias sub-county, where the country’s first suspected case remains isolated, after the Health Ministry announced that the patient’s test result was negative.
Last week, the Health Ministry identified 20 counties as being at risk of Ebola infection, the majority of which are in the western region.

In a previous meeting with journalists, acting Health Director General Patrick Amoth stated that closing the borders is not a viable solution and instead urged residents to notify health and security officials if anyone enters the country via an unofficial route.

According to Dr. Ahmed Kalebi, a consultant pathologist, the main difference between Ebola and Covid-19 is that the latter is primarily a respiratory infection, whereas Ebola is spread through direct contact with someone or through body fluid from an infected person.

“The most important prevention for Ebola is not to come into direct or indirect physical contact with a person who is infected without personal protective gear. People should avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses, sex, cleaning the infected, handling or sharing utensils, or such other items they might have handled.

“Also people need to wash hands thoroughly and as frequently as possible throughout the day as one might have touched a door handle or railing or other item touched by an Ebola-infected person. Most critical is not to handle an infected or deceased person without gloves and other protective gear. That is why home care for Ebola-suspected individuals or those confirmed is a big no,” said Dr. Ahmed Kalebi.