KENYA’S MINISTRY OF HEALTH ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT ON EBOLA RISKS
(Posted 01st August 2014)
Following increasing concerns among the public over the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, with now over 700 dead in four countries, has the Kenyan Ministry of Health issued a public statement to reassure Kenyans, and visitors to Kenya. With daily flight connections by Kenya Airways to West African countries has the national airline also taken extra precautions, as outlined in their own communique yesterday.
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The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa where 673 patients have been reported dead and 1202 infected as at 30th July 2014.
The risk of travelers contracting Ebola is considered low because it requires direct contact with body fluids or secretions such as urine, blood, sweat or saliva. Health
workers and family members who may come into direct contact with body fluids of patients suffering from Ebola are at the highest risk of being infected. Ebola can’t be spread like flu through casual contact or breathing in the same air. Therefore the risk to travelers and people working in affected countries of contracting Ebola is very low.
As precautionary measure the Ministry of Health has alerted Health workers about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and has advised them to remain vigilant for unexplained illness in those who have visited the affected areas. We have alsostepped up surveillance at all ports of entry and this will enable prompt detection, notification and appropriate management of any suspected cases in the country.
Over the years, Kenya built its capacity to respond to threats caused by emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola. The Ministry of Health has established a Disease Surveillance/rapid response team and laboratory capacity to diagnose all hemorrhagic fevers including Ebola. We are therefore well-prepared to identify and deal with any potential cases of Ebola within 24 hours.
The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health do not recommend any travel or trade restrictions be applied to the affected West African countries based on the current information available about the Ebola outbreak.
We shall keep Kenyans updated about the outbreak and any additional measures required.
Dr. Nicholas Muraguri
Director of Medical Services
Dated 30th July 2014
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It is understood that similar measures are being taken in countries which airlines’ are also flying from Eastern Africa to West Africa to ensure that health personnel and medical services are gearing up preparedness in case of a further spread of the deadly disease across the continent.
