The government has established a dedicated arrival gate at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for travelers arriving from countries with elevated risk of Ebola transmission.
Public Health PS Mary Muthoni stated that this measure is part of enhanced surveillance protocols implemented at the nation’s primary international gateway following Ebola outbreaks reported in certain regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Following an inspection of JKIA, Muthoni mentioned that the border management team deployed at the airport has intensified monitoring at all six international arrival gates.
“The border management team stationed at the airport has enhanced surveillance at the six international arrivals gates, with Gate 16 now designated for passengers coming from high-risk countries,” she explained.
According to the PS, an isolation center staffed by port health officials has been established at the gate to ensure swift response in case a suspected Ebola case is identified.
Isolation points have also been created to improve preparedness and facilitate immediate assessment of travelers who may exhibit symptoms associated with the disease.
As part of the reinforced screening process, all travelers entering Kenya must now complete online self-declaration forms providing details of their travel history and current health condition.
Health officials indicate that this information will assist authorities in identifying potential risks early and improve monitoring of passengers arriving from affected regions.
Kenya has also implemented advanced disease surveillance methods through genomic sequencing.
Port health authorities are collecting and analyzing waste samples from all aircraft arriving at JKIA, both domestic and international, through national laboratories.
Officials claim that the testing enables health authorities to detect disease patterns and identify potential threats, including Ebola, before they spread within the country.
The samples are stored at the port health clinic under controlled conditions prior to undergoing analysis.
Muthoni reassured the public that Kenya has not reported any Ebola cases and urged citizens to rely on information released by the Ministry of Health.
The PS also dispelled fears that the country has any cases of the dreaded virus, emphasizing that the Government has implemented strict containment measures.
She cautioned against the spread of misinformation online, appealing to Kenyans to depend on accurate information coming from the Ministry of Health.
The PS mentioned that quarantine facilities have also been established as part of the country’s preparedness measures, with severe or suspected cases to be transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized care.
She further advocated for a multi-agency approach in protecting the country’s borders, stating that surveillance efforts require cooperation among all agencies operating at points of entry.
According to Muthoni, the Ministry of Health is maintaining close supervision of all entry points across the nation and has adopted a comprehensive government approach to preparedness.
“Avoid unnecessary travel to those countries that have reported cases. If possible, wait until the situation stabilizes before making the trip,” she advised.
Airport personnel and border officials have also been educated on Ebola symptoms and response procedures, while authorities continue to collaborate closely with airlines and affected countries to obtain passenger health information and exit screening reports.
The government states that the enhanced measures are intended to ensure Kenya remains vigilant and prepared against Ebola and other diseases of public health concern.