NAIROBI, Kenya- The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed the American military to establish a quarantine facility in central Kenya within a week to handle U.S. citizens exposed to Ebola amid a growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to reports by major international media outlets, the proposed facility would isolate and treat Americans considered at high risk of contracting the virus, marking a major shift in U.S. policy from previous Ebola outbreaks where infected citizens were flown back home for treatment.
The Washington Post reported that Trump administration officials directed the U.S. military to rapidly set up the quarantine and treatment centre, with an initial capacity of 50 beds and the possibility of expansion to 250 beds later.
The planned field hospital is expected to use biocontainment units transported from the United States and will reportedly be staffed by members of the U.S. Public Health Service, some of whom have already begun emergency deployment training at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Reuters and the Wall Street Journal reported that the facility could be established at an air force base in Laikipia, central Kenya, although Kenyan authorities had not formally approved the plan as of Wednesday.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed discussions with the United States and other international partners over Ebola response cooperation but emphasized that any arrangement would have to comply with Kenyan laws and public health protocols.
Reports indicate Kenya is pushing for the facility to serve all nationalities affected by the outbreak and has also sought increased U.S. support if the project proceeds.
The move comes as the World Health Organization battles a rapidly worsening Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC involving the rare Bundibugyo strain. According to Reuters, the outbreak has already resulted in more than 900 suspected cases and over 220 suspected deaths, while neighbouring Uganda has confirmed several infections.
The Trump administration has simultaneously tightened travel restrictions, enhanced airport screenings and invoked public health measures aimed at preventing Ebola from entering the United States.
However, the plan has sparked criticism from some public health experts and humanitarian groups, who argue that refusing to repatriate exposed Americans could discourage medical volunteers from assisting in outbreak zones and may undermine trust in global health response systems.
