The Principal Secretary for Health, Mary Muthoni, confirmed that 59 individuals in Kenya suspected of Ebola infection have all tested negative, alleviating public anxiety.
Ms. Muthoni made the announcement on June 6 during a health inspection at the Busia-Malaba border, as Kenya enhances surveillance at key entry points, especially Malaba, which accommodates 1,500 to 2,000 travelers daily.
“We have verified that 59 individuals suspected of having Ebola have all tested negative, which is comforting, but we are not lowering our vigilance,” stated PS Muthoni.
She highlighted the strain on border systems, noting that approximately 300 inbound trucks traverse Malaba each day, making it one of the busiest and most vulnerable entry points.
The PS emphasized that the government is maintaining increased alertness despite the negative outcomes, considering the region’s potential risk exposure.
Malaba, positioned directly along the Kenya-Uganda border, is now under strict monitoring after Uganda reported confirmed Ebola cases, causing concern among health authorities.
In this connection, PS Muthoni pointed out that the intensified surveillance stems from Kenya’s proximity to Uganda, stating that the country remains at significant risk and must remain extremely watchful.
Screening at the border is already in progress, with health officials collaborating with enforcement teams to verify that every traveler is examined before entering the country.
Nevertheless, Muthoni voiced apprehension regarding some travelers’ lack of cooperation during the screening procedure, urging the public to treat the matter with importance.
Beyond screening, PS Muthoni also stressed the necessity for quarantine facilities across all 47 counties, which the ministry is diligently working to establish to ensure proper response capabilities.
“If we had 47 quarantine centers in this country, I would be sleeping soundly. But currently, I remain uneasy because we require those quarantine facilities at any expense,” expressed PS Muthoni.
“We need, when we encounter a case, a confirmed case, there is a place where we can quarantine, isolate them, and if we have exposed individuals, there is somewhere they can be quarantined.”
This situation occurs against the backdrop of counties near the Busia-Malaba border, which are also at increased risk.
Uganda has to date reported 19 confirmed cases, including two fatalities. The virus is thought to have spread through local transmission, with most cases appearing in Kampala and the adjacent Wakiso district.