Ministry of Health responds to reports U.S. plans to send Ebola-exposed Americans to Kenya
Ministry of Health responds to reports U.S. plans to send Ebola-exposed Americans to Kenya
The Ministry of Health has reassured Kenyans that the country remains fully prepared to handle Ebola-related threats amid reports that the United States could send Ebola-exposed patients to Kenya for specialised monitoring and treatment arrangements.
In a statement issued on May 27, the ministry did not explicitly confirm the arrangement; instead, reiterating that Kenya would strictly follow national laws, biosafety regulations, and public health standards aimed at protecting citizens, frontline workers, and local communities.
“The Government of Kenya notes ongoing discussions with the US government and other global partners regarding international collaboration on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats,” a statement from the Ministry read.
“Any arrangements regarding international health cooperation will be guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations, biosafety and biosecurity standards, and the overriding responsibility of the Government to safeguard the health and welfare of the people of Kenya.”
The Ministry further clarified that Kenya is already engaged in ongoing discussions with the United States and other international partners on collaboration in preparedness and response measures for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats, rather than any specific agreement on patient transfers.
It added, “Kenya welcomes partnerships that strengthen global health security and reaffirm our shared commitment to protecting lives through coordinated, science-based action.”
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To affirm Kenya’s preparedness to tackle the Ebola Virus spread, Duale pointed out that Kenya has activated its national Incident Management System (IMS), intensified surveillance at Points of Entry, designated laboratories for testing and strengthened coordination mechanisms at national and county levels.
Additionally, the CD also revealed that the Ministry has thus far conducted screenings at all entry points, which it has intensified, with the Ministry data showing that over 55,000 have been screened, up from 48,000 at all border points since the virus was first flagged, with no positive incident flagged.
Thus far, there have been a few recorded cases of Americans contracting the virus, including an American doctor in Germany. Six other Americans exposed to the Ebola variant have also since been transported to Germany and the Czech Republic for monitoring.
Additionally, one American has been confirmed infected with Ebola in the DRC, and at least six other Americans exposed to the virus have been evacuated from the region, though it is unclear if any additional US citizens have tested positive at this time.
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