NAIROBI, Kenya – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged foreign governments not to impose travel or trade restrictions on Kenya following confirmation of the country’s first imported Ebola case, saying there is no evidence that the infection alone signals an outbreak.
Duale made the appeal on Thursday during a high-level meeting with diplomats, heads of international organisations and development partners, where he outlined measures the government has taken to contain the disease.
He maintained that Kenya remained open for travel, tourism, trade and investment, urging international partners to base their decisions on verified epidemiological information rather than fear.
“I urge the international community to base its decisions on verified epidemiological information, science and established international public health principles,” he said.
The CS warned that disproportionate restrictions could disrupt livelihoods and economic activity without necessarily providing additional public health protection.
“I encourage airlines to continue operating, tourists to continue visiting Kenya, businesses to maintain their operations and our regional and international partners to sustain normal trade and investment,” Duale said.
He added that the government would continue sharing verified information with the public, neighbouring countries and international partners as the situation evolves.
WHO Advises Against Travel And Trade Restrictions
Duale’s appeal comes after several foreign governments updated their travel advisories to include information about Kenya’s confirmed imported Ebola case.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated its Kenya travel advice on October 6, directing travellers to follow Kenyan health authorities and monitor updates from the Ministry of Health. The notice did not advise against travel to Kenya because of Ebola.
Canada also added an Ebola monitoring notice to its travel information for Kenya, while its overall advice remained focused on existing concerns about terrorism and crime.
The United States has likewise included information on Ebola screening and health requirements for some travellers, without issuing a new blanket travel warning against Kenya because of the case.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday advised against travel and trade restrictions targeting Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on currently available information.
“WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or Kenya based on the currently available information,” the agency said.
WHO added that it would continue monitoring and, where necessary, verifying travel and trade measures introduced in response to the situation.
57 Contacts Identified As Tracing Continues
Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case after a patient who had travelled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo arrived in Nairobi. He was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on Saturday, diagnosed with the disease and later died at 11pm on Monday, according to the information provided by the Ministry of Health.
Health officials are continuing to trace people who may have come into contact with the patient.
Duale said 57 contacts had been identified, with those already located placed under appropriate monitoring or quarantine. Teams were still working to trace the remaining contacts.
“Following confirmation of the imported case, the President directed the intensification of contact tracing and response operations. Fifty-seven contacts have been identified, and those already accounted for are under appropriate monitoring and quarantine,” he said.
“Our teams are working continuously to trace the remaining contacts and ensure anyone who develops symptoms is rapidly identified, isolated, tested and managed.”
The government has also increased health screening at points of entry, with travellers arriving from 10 countries linked to the regional Ebola situation facing enhanced checks.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, passengers arriving from the affected countries are being directed to Gate 16 for additional health screening.
Five Hospitals Designated For Ebola Treatment
Duale said Kenya had strengthened its capacity to detect and manage suspected cases, with five facilities designated for isolation and treatment.
The facilities are Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, National Police Service Hospital, Port Reitz Hospital and Nairobi Hospital.
According to the CS’s briefing, the facilities have a combined capacity of 241 beds for the Ebola response.
The Ministry of Health has also trained 4,971 health workers in Ebola preparedness and response.
Screening is underway at 15 points of entry, where more than 652,000 travellers have been screened, Duale said.
He added that five designated laboratories were supporting the country’s capacity to test suspected cases.
“Treatment and isolation capacity is available, health workers have been trained and screening at Points of Entry continues,” he said.
Government Moves To Establish National Ebola Task Force
Meanwhile, the government is moving to establish a national Ebola task force to strengthen coordination of the response.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni chaired a meeting of the Ebola Incident Management Support Team on Thursday to review the proposed structure of the task force.
The meeting was attended by Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth and acting Director General of the Kenya National Public Health Institute Dr Maureen Kimenye.
The proposed task force is expected to coordinate contact tracing, surveillance at points of entry, public communication and preparedness at isolation and treatment centres.
Duale said the government’s response would continue to focus on early detection, safe isolation, rapid testing and comprehensive contact tracing.
“Our approach is clear: detect early, isolate safely, test rapidly, trace comprehensively and respond decisively. I ask our partners to continue standing with Kenya as we protect lives, safeguard livelihoods and maintain regional and international connectivity,” he said.
The government has urged Kenyans to remain vigilant without panicking and to rely on official health information.
Members of the public can call the Ministry of Health’s toll-free line 719 for information and guidance.
