Kenya has intensified its response to Ebola after the number of contacts linked to the country’s first confirmed imported case rose to 57, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said.
Duale said two additional contacts had been identified, bringing the total from the initial 55. Ten contacts have already been traced and placed under quarantine at the National Police Service Hospital in Nairobi.
The 10 contacts are undergoing daily symptom monitoring as health authorities intensify efforts to trace the remaining contacts, he said.
Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case on October 6 after health workers at The Nairobi Hospital, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, identified and diagnosed the case.
The patient later died and was accorded a safe and dignified burial organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society, in line with public health protocols.
Duale said the Government had designated five health facilities to manage Ebola cases, with a combined capacity of 141 beds.
The facilities are Kenyatta National Hospital with eight beds, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with 50 beds, National Police Hospital with 49 beds, Portreitz Hospital with four beds and The Nairobi Hospital with 130 beds.
“The capacity will increase with the establishment of more facilities as the situation evolves,” Duale said.
Five other facilities, including Malaba Health Centre, Busia Border and Kocholia have been designated as temporary isolation centres for suspected cases.
Alupe Sub-District Hospital in Busia County is also undergoing renovations to enable it to manage Ebola cases.
The CS urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant, observe strict hand hygiene and avoid contact with people showing symptoms of illness.
He also called on anyone experiencing suspected symptoms or who may have been exposed to Ebola to immediately seek care at a recognised health facility and report suspected cases to health authorities.
The Ministry has enhanced screening of travellers arriving from the Ebola disease epicentre at Gate 16 of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and at other points of entry across the country.
Duale urged the public to rely on official Ministry of Health platforms for accurate information and use the toll-free line 719 for inquiries.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to protecting the public against public health threats and will continue to update the public on measures that the Government is putting in place to mitigate the spread of the disease,” the CS said.
by Wangari Ndirangu
