Kenya Heightens Ebola Alert Amid DRC Outbreak

The Ministry of Health has released an urgent directive to all County Governments in response to a confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 246 suspected cases and 65 fatalities have been recorded in Ituri Province, with laboratory tests confirming Ebola infection in 13 of 20 samples.
Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni Muriuki stated in a communication, “The Ministry of Health wishes to assure all Kenyans that, as of today (Saturday), no confirmed or suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease has been identified within the Republic of Kenya.”
She noted, however, that the danger remains elevated because of substantial cross-border movement in the area.
The directive follows Uganda’s confirmation of an imported case involving a 59-year-old Congolese national who died from the illness in Kampala on May 14. Ugandan health officials have since implemented national response measures, including enhanced surveillance, rapid response deployment, and contact tracing.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has instructed all counties to promptly strengthen preparedness actions.
These measures include enhanced screening at airports, seaports, and land border crossings, activation of rapid response teams, reinforcement of infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities, and refresher training for healthcare professionals.
Counties are also encouraged to amplify public awareness initiatives and combat misinformation.
Ebola Virus Disease is a serious and frequently fatal condition spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated items, or infected wildlife.
Typical symptoms include high fever, extreme fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and unexplained bleeding.
“The Government of Kenya remains fully committed to protecting the health and welfare of all persons residing in the country,” the statement concluded.