The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional and global health security through continued collaboration with the United States and other international partners in preparedness and response to Ebola virus disease (EVD) and other emerging public health threats.
In a statement released Wednesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya remains a trusted regional partner in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and coordinated public health response, built through years of investment in health systems strengthening and workforce development.
Duale noted that health professionals have previously supported responses to major outbreaks across the region, including the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, while local institutions continue to advance laboratory systems, surveillance and emergency coordination mechanisms.
The CS remarks come amidst trending news that the USA administration plans to send its citizens exposed to Ebola to Kenya for observation and treatment, a departure from past practices of repatriating them.
According to an international media house in the US, Public Health Service officers are being trained for deployment to Kenya to provide medical care to US citizens at high risk of developing Ebola.
The news further noted that a facility is reportedly being established in Kenya through a coordinated effort by the State, Defense, and Health and Human Services departments for quarantine and treatment.
However, Duale has emphasized that any international health cooperation arrangements will remain guided by Kenya’s national laws, public health regulations, and biosafety standards, with the protection of Kenyan citizens, frontline health workers, and communities remaining a top priority.
The CS acknowledged the country’s long-standing partnership with the United States and other global partners, noting that collaboration has contributed significantly to investments in surveillance systems, workforce training, emergency preparedness and health infrastructure across the region.
He said, “Kenya will continue to act responsibly in safeguarding both national and global health security and pledged to provide regular public updates on preparedness efforts”.
Duale also confirmed that more than 55,000 travelers have so far been screened for Ebola at various ports of entry, while ten suspected cases tested have all returned negative results.
Meanwhile, Kenya has intensified preparedness measures in response to the ongoing regional Ebola outbreak, including activation of the national Incident Management System, enhanced surveillance at points of entry, designation of testing laboratories and strengthened coordination between national and county governments.
by Wangari Ndirangu
