The Ministry of Health (MoH) has marked 25 counties as either ‘very high risk’ or ‘high risk’ as the country heightens its preparedness to combat the deadly Ebola virus reported in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni, despite no reports of positive cases in the country, the government is remaining on high alert at the 26 points of entry and will be giving periodic reports.
Speaking during a meeting at Afya House on Tuesday, PS Muthoni added that the government has put 10 neighbouring countries under its radar.
Counties under the ‘very high risk’ category include Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Kisumu, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Siaya, West Pokot, Turkana, Homa Bay and Migori, most of them being counties at the country’s borders.
Those under the ‘high risk’ category are Vihiga, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kilifi, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Garissa.
According to the Ministry, 13,548 travellers have been screened in the country’s points of entry in the last 24 hours, while cumulatively, about 67,000 travellers have been screened.
PS Muthoni also intimated that the government is considering to impose quarantine for all patients coming from the high-risk countries for 21 days before they are allowed into the country to prevent the spread of the virus.
“At all border points, including the country’s airports, surveillance and screening have been enhanced with the Ministry of Health now saying over 1000 health officers have been trained and are ready to respond to any case,” she said.
“Currently, emergency operation centers in 26 counties have been activated to deal with any eventuality.”
Kenyans have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel to affected countries for a while to allow for better containment. The Government will also start screening and tracing all persons who have come into the country at all border points.
Likewise, Kenya will start demanding exit surveillance reports for all travellers coming into the country, certified by authorities from the origin country.
They will also be required to produce a detailed screening report that must be shared with the airlines they have travelled with, or the bus companies from neighbouring nations.
There have been more than 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola in DRC since the outbreak was declared on May 15, including nearly 250 deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Neighbouring Uganda has registered several infections, including one death.
President William Ruto has asserted that Kenya has the appropriate preventive measures to combat the virus upon detection in the country.
However, his administration has been met with heightened ridicule after approving the United States to establish an Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki.
